Book Description

"The current performance-related specifications (PRS) methodology has been under development by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for several years and has now reached a level at which it can be implemented by State highway agencies. PRS for highway pavements depend heavily on performance prediction models to determine the impact of varying levels of construction quality. This study focused on the improvement of the key distress and smoothness prediction models used in the PRS for jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP). Performance models for transverse joint faulting, transverse slab cracking, transverse joint spalling, and smoothness (International Roughness Index [MI]) were evaluated and then improved substantially. This was accomplished using a comprehensive national database of JPCP performance data, along with sound statistical and engineering techniques. Performance model calibration guidelines were also developed so that a State cari calibrate any of these models specifically to its pavement performance data. The PaveSpec PRS demonstration software was upgraded to Version 3.0 under this study. Some of the specific improvements incorporated in PaveSpec 3.0 include: 1) incorporation ofyim proved distress indicator models, as well as the ability to calibrate or modify the default models, 2) sensitivity analysis capabilities, 3) expected pay charts, and 4) online help. Appendix A of this report contains a complete updated PaveSpec User's Guide"--Technical report documentation page