Date of Graduation

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Committee Chair

John P Zaniewski

Committee Co-Chair

John Quaranta

Committee Member

Avinash Unnikrishnan

Abstract

The objective of this research was to compare the condition of the asphalt and concrete sections of pavement on a section of US 35 for the West Virginia Division of Highways. In the process of completing this objective, existing procedures for pavement assessment were evaluated and an improved methodology for pavement condition evaluation, in terms of Pavement Surface Rating, PSR, was established. PSR uses observable surface distresses to quantify the condition of a pavement on a 0 to 100 scale. The PSR methodology includes surface distress data collection, a distress identification manual, and a PSR calculation procedure and spreadsheet. This process has been adopted by the WVDOH and is included in the special provision specification for pavements constructed using a warranted agreement.;Data from the WVDOH Pavement Management System, PMS, were used to evaluate pavement condition but ultimately deemed ineffective in a relatively small scale analysis. The methodology used to collect and analyze the PMS data was not compatible with the PSR methodology.;Deflection data gathered with a falling weight deflectometer were used to evaluate and compare the structural condition of the US 35 asphalt and concrete pavement sections. A screening of the deflection data on the concrete sections found the number of observations was an insufficient for meaningful analysis. The deflection data on the asphalt pavement sections were suitable for analysis. Since the WVDOH does not have an analysis methodology for deflection data, the research effort on this project focused on applying existing methodologies used for the analysis of deflection data. Due to the data problems, the analysis of the concrete sections was limited. The analysis of the asphalt sections was able to determine effective structural number for the asphalt sections. The analysis process is complex and several issues should be resolved to improve the ability of the WVDOH to use deflection analysis in a routine manner.

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