Briefly describe the main steps in the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design method as given in the MEPDG.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The method of pavement design applied in the MEPDG consists of five basic
steps. The first step is to select a trial design based on another method (such as
the 1993 AASHTO Pavement Design Guide, agency policies or standards, or a
design based on engineering judgment and experience). The second step is
selection of acceptable thresholds for performance criteria related to pavement
distresses of rutting, transverse cracking, longitudinal cracking, alligator cracking,
and smoothness. The third step involves the collection of all input data pertaining
to project information and to traffic pavement structure, material properties, and
climate. Fourth, the trial design is evaluated, typically through the MEPDG
software. Finally, the trial design is revised and then evaluated until an acceptable
design is achieved.