Introduction

The evolution of pavement engineering has transitioned from purely empirical approaches to more scientifically rigorous methods, with Mechanistic-Empirical (M-E) Pavement Design now representing the state-of-the-art for engineers seeking to optimize the performance and longevity of critical transportation infrastructure. This sophisticated approach leverages fundamental engineering mechanics to predict pavement responses (stresses, strains, deflections) under various loading and environmental conditions, integrating these mechanistic models with empirically derived relationships to forecast pavement distress and service life with unprecedented accuracy. Mastering Pavement Design Using Mechanistic-Empirical Methods is absolutely essential for civil engineers, transportation planners, materials specialists, and infrastructure developers aiming to move beyond traditional design limitations, accommodate diverse traffic and material inputs, incorporate local environmental factors, and ultimately deliver more cost-effective, durable, and sustainable pavement solutions that meet long-term performance expectations.

This 10-day intensive training course delves deeply into the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of M-E pavement design, including the use of advanced software tools like the AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design program. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to characterize pavement materials, analyze traffic loading, model environmental effects, calibrate local performance models, and develop robust designs for both new construction and rehabilitation projects. The program emphasizes hands-on exercises, real-world data analysis, and an in-depth exploration of distress prediction models, equipping professionals with the advanced skills required to lead modern pavement engineering projects and contribute to the development of resilient transportation networks.

Target Audience

• Civil Engineers (Pavement, Transportation, Geotechnical)
• Pavement Design & Rehabilitation Engineers
• Materials Engineers & Technicians
• Transportation Planners & Managers
• Road & Highway Agency Staff
• Consultants involved in Pavement Engineering
• Researchers in Pavement Materials & Design

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles of mechanistic-empirical pavement design
• Differentiate between empirical, mechanistic, and mechanistic-empirical design approaches
• Characterize pavement materials (asphalt, concrete, granular bases, subgrade) for M-E design inputs
• Analyze traffic loading and develop accurate traffic inputs for design
• Incorporate environmental factors and climatic data into pavement performance prediction
• Utilize advanced software tools for M-E pavement design (e.g., AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design)
• Interpret pavement responses (stress, strain, deflection) and their relationship to distress
• Predict various pavement distresses (rutting, cracking, faulting) and their progression over time
• Design new flexible and rigid pavements using M-E principles
• Develop rehabilitation strategies and overlay designs using M-E methods
• Calibrate M-E models to local conditions for improved accuracy
• Evaluate the economic and performance benefits of M-E designed pavements

Course Content

Module 1. Introduction to Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design

• Evolution of pavement design methods: empirical to M-E
• Advantages and limitations of M-E design over traditional methods
• Overview of the M-E design framework and its key components
• Introduction to distress prediction concepts and transfer functions
• The role of local calibration in M-E design implementation

Module 2. Pavement Materials Characterization for M-E Design

• Properties of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA): resilient modulus, fatigue, rutting parameters
• Properties of Portland Cement Concrete (PCC): elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, modulus of rupture
• Characterization of unbound granular materials: resilient modulus of base/subbase
• Subgrade soil characterization: resilient modulus, soil classification
• Laboratory and field testing methods for M-E design inputs

Module 3. Traffic Loading and Axle Load Spectra

• Vehicle classification and traffic volume data collection
• Module on Axle Load Spectra: Development and representation for M-E design
• Load equivalency factors and their limitations in M-E context
• Growth factors and future traffic projections
• Impact of heavy vehicle configurations on pavement performance

Module 4. Environmental Factors and Climatic Inputs

• Module on Climatic Data: Temperature, precipitation, freezing index
• Moisture content variations in pavement layers and subgrade
• Effects of temperature on asphalt concrete properties
• Frost heave and thaw weakening considerations
• Seasonal adjustments and their impact on pavement response

Module 5. Pavement Response Modeling

• Theory of layered elastic systems for flexible pavements
• Finite element and finite difference methods for rigid pavements
• Module on Critical Pavement Responses: Stresses, strains, and deflections in various layers
• Influence of material properties and layer thicknesses on responses
• Introduction to viscoelastic and visco-plastic material behavior

Module 6. Flexible Pavement Distress Prediction Models

• Module on Rutting Prediction: Models for HMA and unbound layers
• Alligator cracking and longitudinal cracking prediction models
• Transverse cracking (thermal cracking) prediction models
• Smoothness (IRI) prediction and its relationship to structural distress
• Calibration and validation of flexible pavement distress models

Module 7. Rigid Pavement Distress Prediction Models

• Module on Faulting Prediction: Models for jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCP)
• Cracking prediction: transverse cracking and corner breaks
• Pumping and erosion distresses
• Smoothness (IRI) prediction for rigid pavements
• Calibration and validation of rigid pavement distress models

Module 8. Design of New Pavements using M-E Design

• Iterative design process for flexible pavements
• Iterative design process for rigid pavements
• Optimization of layer thicknesses and material selection
• Sensitivity analysis of design inputs
• Performance evaluation of proposed designs against target reliability

Module 9. Rehabilitation and Overlay Design using M-E Methods

• Module on Pavement Condition Assessment: Non-destructive testing (NDT) like FWD for existing pavements.
• Backcalculation of layer moduli from deflection data.
• Module on Overlay Design: Design of HMA overlays on flexible and rigid pavements.
• Design of PCC overlays (bonded, unbonded) on existing pavements.
• Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) for rehabilitation alternatives.

Module 10. Local Calibration and Validation

• Importance of local calibration for M-E design accuracy
• Data collection requirements for local calibration (material properties, traffic, climate, performance)
• Statistical methods for calibrating performance models
• Module on Calibration Factors: Global vs. local calibration factors
• Verification and validation of calibrated models

Module 11. M-E Design Software Applications

• Hands-on training with AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design software
• Input data preparation and management in the software
• Running design analyses and interpreting software outputs
• Module on Scenario Analysis: Performing sensitivity analyses and "what-if" scenarios
• Troubleshooting common software issues and data input errors

Module 12. Advanced Topics in M-E Pavement Design

• Perpetual pavements design concepts
• Module on Recycled Materials: Use of recycled materials in M-E design (e.g., RAP, RCA)
• Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) and its impact on M-E design
• Full-depth reclamation and soil stabilization considerations
• Integration of M-E design with pavement management systems (PMS)

Module 13. Case Studies and Practical Applications

• Analysis of real-world M-E design projects
• Discussion of practical implementation challenges and solutions
• Module on Design Examples: Working through comprehensive design examples for various pavement types.
• Interpretation of distress data and corresponding M-E predictions.
• Interactive sessions for Q&A and problem-solving based on participant experiences.

Module 14. Pavement Performance Monitoring and Feedback

• Methods for long-term pavement performance monitoring
• Collecting distress data for M-E model validation
• Using performance data for ongoing design improvements
• Module on Feedback Loops: Establishing feedback loops between design, construction, and performance.
• Role of instrumentation in pavement monitoring.

Module 15. Future Trends in Pavement Design

• Integration of Big Data and AI/ML in pavement engineering
• Module on Digital Twins: Pavement digital twins for real-time monitoring and prediction
• Advanced sensor technologies for pavement condition assessment
• Sustainable pavement materials and designs
• The evolving landscape of pavement standards and guidelines.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.