| The insufficient public funds to maintain and improve the infrastructure have resulted in use of innovative roadway financing methods such as Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The introduction of performance based construction and maintenance contracts requires better understanding of pavement responses under dynamic loading, to carryout the correct maintenance treatment at the appropriate time in the most efficient way. The current maintenance approach is more of a reactive technique, where the problem is addressed when the pavement distresses are observed. The objective of this study is to develop a tool, using the instrumentation technique adopted in Accelerated Pavement Testing (APT) systems, to assist in decision making strategies of pavement management and enable the concept of Smart Roads. An instrumentation plan which includes strain gauges, pressure cells, environmental gauges and Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) scale is developed after identifying the critical parameters to be measured on in-service pavements. Based on the analysis of pavement response and WIM scale (traffic) data, data collection at a frequency of 450 Hz during the evening peak 15-minutes is recommended. Using the measured responses and Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) data in the fatigue cracking model (Finn's model), the remaining service life of pavement can be determined, which assists in applying the correct maintenance treatments at the effective time to save on major rehabilitation costs. |
