The objective of this research was to develop a structural index for use in network-level pavement evaluation, which facilitates the inclusion of the pavements structural condition in many pavement management applications. The primary goal of network-level pavement management is to maintain an acceptable condition of the pavements within the network using available, and often limited, resources. Pavement condition is described in terms of functional and structural condition, and the current widespread practice is to only consider the functional condition during network-level evaluation. This practice results in treatments that are often under-designed or over-designed when considered in more detail at the project-level. The disagreement may be reduced by considering the structural capacity of the pavements as part of the network-level decision process. This research was conducted by identifying various structural indices, choosing an appropriate index, and then applying data from the state of Virginia to modify the index and show example application for the index. It was concluded that the Modified Structural Index best met the research objectives. Project-level and network level data were used to conduct a sensitivity analysis on the index, and example applications were presented. The results indicated that the inclusion of the Modified Structural Index into the network-level decision process minimized the errors between network-level and project-level decisions, when compared to the current network-level decision making process. Furthermore, the Modified Structural Index could be used in various pavement management applications, such as network-level structural screening, and developing structural performance measures. / Master of Science

This thesis focused on using a detailed structural evaluation of seven (three flexible and four composite) high performance in-service pavements designated as high-priority routes to verify the applicability of the Mechanistic Empirical (M-E) models to high performance pavements in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The structural evaluation included: determination of layer thicknesses (from cores, GPR and historical data), pavement condition assessment based on visual survey, estimation of layer moduli from FWD analysis as well as material characterization. One of the main objectives of this study was to utilize the results from the backcalculated moduli in order to predict the performance of this group of pavement structures using the M-E Design Guide Software. This allowed a quick verification of the performance prediction models used by comparing their outcome with the current condition. The in-depth structural evaluation of the three flexible and four composite pavements showed that all the sites are structurally sound. The investigation also confirmed that the use of GPR to determine layer thicknesses and the comparison with a minimum number of cores is a helpful tool for pavement structural evaluation. Despite some difficulties performing the backcalculation analysis for complex structures, the obtained results were considered reasonable and were useful in estimating the current structural adequacy of the evaluated structures. The comparison of the measured distresses with those predicted by the M-E Design Guide software showed poor agreement. In general, the predicted distresses were higher than the distresses actually measured. However, there was not enough evidence to determine whether this is due to errors in the prediction models or software, or because of the use of defaults material properties, specially for the AC layers. It must be noted that although an in-depth field evaluation was performed, only Level 3 data was available for many of the input parameters. The results suggest that significant calibration and validation will be required before implementation of the M-E Design Guide. / Master of Science

A presente pesquisa objetiva contribuir para a implantação de Sistemas de Gerência de Pavimentos Aeroportuários (SGPA), tendo por base um estudo de caso desenvolvido no Aeroporto Estadual de Araraquara-SP Bartolomeu de Gusmão. Foi criado um banco de dados informatizado, através do FAA PAVEAIR, programa computacional de gerência de pavimentos aeroportuários disponibilizado pelo FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), que permitiu o armazenamento de toda informação inerente aos pavimentos do complexo aeroportuário e a determinação, com base no método PCI (Pavement Condition Index), da condição atual da pista de pousos e decolagens, da pista de rolagem e do pátio de aeronaves. Os resultados mostraram que o aeroporto de Araraquara apresenta condição regular de operação, indicada por um PCI médio de 67, e que os principais defeitos encontrados foram desagregação das partículas da mistura asfáltica, trincas transversais e, principalmente, trincas longitudinais. Por conseguinte, foram planejadas intervenções de manutenção e reabilitação, de modo a evitar situações que levassem ao comprometimento geral da condição dos pavimentos e, por consequência, a um aumento significativo dos custos de conservação. A melhor estratégia, se aplicada ao longo dos vinte anos de período de projeto, resultaria em um valor de PCI médio igual a 77, correspondente a boas condições de operação. Dessa forma, o estudo de caso desenvolvido contribuiu, com um exemplo completo, para a implantação de um SGPA em nível de rede e, mais ainda, para o desenvolvimento de um SGPA integral para a rede de aeroportos de administrações aeroportuárias de pequeno, médio e grande portes no Brasil, o que deve ser precedido pela elaboração de legislação específica que exija a aplicação efetiva de técnicas de manutenção que prolonguem a vida útil dos pavimentos, especialmente devido ao aumento da demanda por transporte aéreo e à necessidade de modernas e potentes aeronaves, que requerem, cada vez mais, melhores condições funcionais e estruturais das pistas de pousos e decolagens e dos pátios de aeronaves dos aeroportos. / This research aims to contribute to the implementation of Airport Pavements Management Systems (SGPA), based on a case study developed at the Araraquara State Airport Bartolomeu de Gusmao, in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. A computerized database was created, using the FAA PAVEAIR, an airport pavement management computer program provided by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), which allowed the storage all information inherent to the airport complex facilities and determining, based on the method of PCI (Pavement Condition Index), the current condition of the runway, taxiway and apron. The results showed that the airport presents regular operating condition, indicated by an average PCI of 67, and that the main defects found were raveling, transverse cracks and mainly longitudinal cracks. Therefore, maintenance and rehabilitation operations are planned so as to avoid situations that could lead to impairment of the general condition of the pavement and, consequently, a significant increase of maintenance costs. The best strategy, if applied over the twenty-year project period, would result in average PCI value of 77, corresponding to good operating condition. Thus, the case study developed contributed with a complete example, for the implementation of a SGPA network-level and even more so for the development of a comprehensive SGPA to the airport network of administrations of small, medium and large airports in Brazil, which should be preceded by the enactment of specific legislation that requires the effective application of maintenance techniques that prolong the life of pavements, especially due to increased demand for air transport and the need for modern and powerful aircraft, requiring increasingly, better functional and structural conditions of runways and aprons.

A presente pesquisa objetiva contribuir para a implantação de Sistemas de Gerência de Pavimentos Aeroportuários (SGPA), tendo por base um estudo de caso desenvolvido no Aeroporto Estadual de Araraquara-SP Bartolomeu de Gusmão. Foi criado um banco de dados informatizado, através do FAA PAVEAIR, programa computacional de gerência de pavimentos aeroportuários disponibilizado pelo FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), que permitiu o armazenamento de toda informação inerente aos pavimentos do complexo aeroportuário e a determinação, com base no método PCI (Pavement Condition Index), da condição atual da pista de pousos e decolagens, da pista de rolagem e do pátio de aeronaves. Os resultados mostraram que o aeroporto de Araraquara apresenta condição regular de operação, indicada por um PCI médio de 67, e que os principais defeitos encontrados foram desagregação das partículas da mistura asfáltica, trincas transversais e, principalmente, trincas longitudinais. Por conseguinte, foram planejadas intervenções de manutenção e reabilitação, de modo a evitar situações que levassem ao comprometimento geral da condição dos pavimentos e, por consequência, a um aumento significativo dos custos de conservação. A melhor estratégia, se aplicada ao longo dos vinte anos de período de projeto, resultaria em um valor de PCI médio igual a 77, correspondente a boas condições de operação. Dessa forma, o estudo de caso desenvolvido contribuiu, com um exemplo completo, para a implantação de um SGPA em nível de rede e, mais ainda, para o desenvolvimento de um SGPA integral para a rede de aeroportos de administrações aeroportuárias de pequeno, médio e grande portes no Brasil, o que deve ser precedido pela elaboração de legislação específica que exija a aplicação efetiva de técnicas de manutenção que prolonguem a vida útil dos pavimentos, especialmente devido ao aumento da demanda por transporte aéreo e à necessidade de modernas e potentes aeronaves, que requerem, cada vez mais, melhores condições funcionais e estruturais das pistas de pousos e decolagens e dos pátios de aeronaves dos aeroportos. / This research aims to contribute to the implementation of Airport Pavements Management Systems (SGPA), based on a case study developed at the Araraquara State Airport Bartolomeu de Gusmao, in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. A computerized database was created, using the FAA PAVEAIR, an airport pavement management computer program provided by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), which allowed the storage all information inherent to the airport complex facilities and determining, based on the method of PCI (Pavement Condition Index), the current condition of the runway, taxiway and apron. The results showed that the airport presents regular operating condition, indicated by an average PCI of 67, and that the main defects found were raveling, transverse cracks and mainly longitudinal cracks. Therefore, maintenance and rehabilitation operations are planned so as to avoid situations that could lead to impairment of the general condition of the pavement and, consequently, a significant increase of maintenance costs. The best strategy, if applied over the twenty-year project period, would result in average PCI value of 77, corresponding to good operating condition. Thus, the case study developed contributed with a complete example, for the implementation of a SGPA network-level and even more so for the development of a comprehensive SGPA to the airport network of administrations of small, medium and large airports in Brazil, which should be preceded by the enactment of specific legislation that requires the effective application of maintenance techniques that prolong the life of pavements, especially due to increased demand for air transport and the need for modern and powerful aircraft, requiring increasingly, better functional and structural conditions of runways and aprons.

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