Use of mechanistic-empirical method of pavement design for performance sensitivity analysis to asphalt pavement fatigue

ABSTRACT In the new Brazilian mechanistic-empirical design method of asphalt pavements, MeDiNa, characterization permanent deformation (PD) for selection soils and gravel is based on tests performed with at least 150,000 loading cycles each nine specimens indicated in DNIT standard. Despite providing information about material behavior under a wide range testing conditions, experimental program related to these PD characterizations time consuming it believed that can be optimized. This paper evaluates influence number cycle applications materials. For this purpose, seven materials were analyzed their optimum moisture content (OMC) one them was also compacted condition above OMC, total eight data sets. Statistical regression analyzes identify parameters predictive model different numbers predictions compared. From results, simulations MeDiNa software predict performance Four N values evaluated, considering as reference: discarding 500 first cycles, but accumulated interval; final 80,000; 100,000. materials, no significant differences observed prediction, even 50,000 or 70,000 less than required indicates that, although recommended following standardized procedures, current standard possibly significantly optimized by reducing applied laboratory tests. possibility must material.