University of Nevada, Reno – Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering – Pavements/Materials Program

CEE 733: Advanced Pavement Design and Analysis

FALL 2014
ASSIGNMENT 5
Due Date: November 14, 2014

Design of a New Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP) Using the AASHTO Pavement ME
Software

Objective
Provide recommendations for the rigid pavement section of the PLA-28 reconstruction project located
in Tahoe city, California.

General Information
Design Life = 20 years
Anticipated construction date: June 2011
Target reliability = 90%

Traffic
Table 1 summarizes the general traffic information to be used as an input into the Pavement ME
software. Use the default Level 3 input values provided by the software for other traffic related
parameters (e.g. ADTT distribution and hourly truck traffic distributions).

TABLE 1 General Traffic Information.

Traffic Parameter PLA28

ADT* 12,000
Total percent truck traffic (%) 3.0
+
ADTT 360
Growth factor (%)# 2.0
Lanes in design direction 1
Trucks in design direction (%) 50
Trucks in design lane (%) 100
Operational speed (mph) 50
Tire pressure (psi) 125
* Initial two-way average daily traffic
+
Initial two-way average daily truck traffic
#
Annual truck volume compounded growth factor

Climate
The Pavement ME considers the effects of climatic variables on pavement responses and pavement
performance. Moisture and temperature profiles are predicted through the Enhanced Integrated
Climatic Model (EICM) module incorporated into the Pavement ME software. The climate module
requires the user to specify a climate file. You need to assign a representative climatic station for the
project location. Use a representative depth to water table.
 University of Nevada, Reno – Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering – Pavements/Materials Program

Materials Properties
Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) Layer
A Type I concrete mix is designed for the project. Table 2 shows the PCC mix properties.
.
TABLE 2 PCC Mix Properties.

Property Value
Cementitious Material Content, lb/yd3 485
Water Cement Ratio 0.41
Aggregate Type Rhyolite
Unconfined Compressive Strength at 28-days, psi 4,100
Unit weight, pcf 150
Curing Method Curing compound

Base Layer
A typical crushed aggregate dense graded base (CAB) is used with a resilient modulus (Mr) of 30,000
psi. This value is a representative Mr value for crushed aggregate at optimum density and moisture
content. Use the Enhanced Integrated Climatic Model (EICM) to modify the representative Mr for the
seasonal effect of climate. Table 2 shows Caltrans specifications for aggregate base gradation limits.

TABLE 2 Aggregate Base Gradation Limits.

Percentage Passing
Sieve Sizes
1 ½” Maximum ¾” Maximum
2” 100 -
1 ½” 87-100 -
1” - 100
¾” 45-90 87-100
No. 4 20-50 30-65
No. 30 6-29 5-35
No. 200 0-12 0-12

Native Subgrade
The existent soil at the anticipated project profile is mainly a Decomposed Granite that was classified
as A-7-5. Use a Level 3 analysis for the subgrade with a representative resilient modulus assigned by
the Pavement ME software based on the AASHTO classification of the subgrade material.

Performance Models
Use the nationally calibrated models for transverse cracking, faulting and IRI in the pavement design.
 University of Nevada, Reno – Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering – Pavements/Materials Program

Note:

1- You are required to conduct two designs:

A – Using Tied PCC shoulder
B – Using Widened Slab
2- Make sure to show in your report the change in Subgrade and Base Mr as a function of
time.
3- Provide with your homework the input/output information generated by the software.