Implementing the Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide Procedure for a Hot-Mix Asphalt-Rehabilitated Pavement in Indiana (05-1888)**
Khaled Galal, Engineering and Research International
Ghassan R. Chehab, American University of Beirut, Lebanon

One of INDOT’s strategic goals is improving its pavement design procedures. This goal can be accomplished by the full implementation of the 2002 M-E design guide once it is approved by AASHTO. The release of the M-E 2002 software has provided a unique opportunity for INDOT engineers to evaluate, calibrate, and validate the new M-E design process. A CRC pavement on I-65 was rubblized and overlaid with a 13” thick HMA overlay in 1994. The availability of the structural design, material properties, climatic and traffic conditions in addition the availability of performance data provided a unique opportunity for comparing the predicted performance of this section using the M-E procedure with the in-situ performance, with calibration efforts being conducted subsequently. This paper discusses the 1993 design of this pavement section and comparison with the 2002 M-E design and predicted performance using the same design inputs. In addition, design levels and inputs were varied to achieve the following: a) assess the functionality of the M-E 2002 Design Guide software and the feasibility of applying M-E design concepts for structural pavement design of Indiana roadways b) determine the sensitivity of the design parameters and the input levels that are most critical to the 2002 M-E predicted distresses and its impact on the implementation strategy that would be recommended to the INDOT and c) evaluate the rubblization technique that was implemented on the I-65 pavement section. Finally, an example calibration of the rutting model is provided.