An LCCA procedure for selecting and evaluating durable pavement structures using SHRP-LTPP mechanistic-empirical relationships.
Item
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Title
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An LCCA procedure for selecting and evaluating durable pavement structures using SHRP-LTPP mechanistic-empirical relationships.
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Identifier
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AAI9969719
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identifier
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9969719
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Creator
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Prancl, Patrick Joseph.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Neville A. Parker
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Date
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2000
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Engineering, Civil
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Abstract
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A life-cycle cost mechanistic design-analysis procedure, utilizing SHRP-LTPP relationships, is presented in this dissertation as a significant improvement upon the existing AASHTO-guided design procedures for selecting and evaluating durable pavements. In this procedure, the SHRP-LTPP equations are applied to predict pavement conditions, both roughness and distresses, throughout the pavement's analysis period. Using this type of analysis, the pavement's life-cycle performance and maintenance requirements are forecasted and the associated agency expenditures and road user costs are estimated. Finally, incremental benefit-cost analysis is used to assess the impact of increased agency spending on incurred road user costs, so that the most cost-effective alternatives may be determined as constrained by given system-wide requirements, including budget. The procedure is presented as a spreadsheet program.;The procedure is recommended to state highway agencies for the continuing revisions and updates of their catalog designs, including maintenance scheduling to ensure durability of pavements well into the newly propounded 50--70 year life. As an example, application of the procedure as a case study for New York State suggests, among others, the following: (1) There are lower cost maintenance and higher benefit-cost alternatives to the current catalogue of flexible pavement designs, which could be achieved by altering the asphalt mix characteristics rather than increasing HMAC layer thickness, and which would meet the new durability requirements. (2) A single design standard should be used for rigid pavements. This may be varied for important or heavily traveled highways as dictated by agency policy based on return on investments. (3) Using both agency and user costs, rather than the conventional method of choosing the lowest agency cost, as economic decision criteria, will result in the most cost effective use of highway funds.;The procedure developed in this dissertation provides a new and improved method of analyzing pavement design alternatives. By examining the life-cycle implications of different design alternatives, in terms of both condition and cost, the highway engineer will make more informed project level management decisions. Finally, several topics are identified where there is a need for subsequent research to improve upon the ideas brought forth in this dissertation.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
