TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MEPDG IN LATIN-AMERICA, PRELIMINARY WORK CARRIED OUT IN CHILE

摘要

The Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide MEPDG and the MEPDGs software aretools that provide more rational pavement designs. The application of the method requires,however, careful considerations for the input data and proper calibration to the local conditions.Since 2004, there have been several efforts carried out in Chile to study the implementation ofthe MEPDG in that country. The work included obtaining local input data (axle loaddistributions, weather and material characteristics); calibration efforts for the distress predictionfunctions and comparison of pavement designs using MEPDG and the local design method.Axle load distributions were obtained for three important highways of the most populatedarea in the country. Statistical analysis was carried out to compare the default load spectra fromMEPDG and the local spectra. Significant differences were observed. Weather information wasobtained for 6 different cities that represent broadly the different weathers conditions present inthe country. Master curves were developed for level 2 design, based on the aggregate and binderproperties of the local materials. Preliminary local calibration factors were obtained fortransverse cracking and faulting of JPCP. Using these local data, pavement designs wereperformed using the MEPDG software and compared to designs carried out with the currentChilean design methodology, which is based on AASHTO 93 and 98 methods.The work presented shows that the implementation of the MEPDG is possible for countriesof Latin-America. Some recommendations are provided for future versions of the MEPDG tomake the use of the software in the southern hemisphere easier and friendlier.