A critical review of vehicle-pavement interaction mechanism in evaluating flexible pavement performance characteristics

Abstract

This paper presents a review of investigations that recognised the effect of vehicle-pavement interaction (VPI) mechanism in estimating flexible pavement performance criteria. This state-of-the-art review highlights the importance of dynamic traffic loads illustrated through vehicular models that have potential in simulating realistic field conditions in the mechanistic pavement design process. Furthermore, this article documents the advanced pavement models along with uncoupled and coupled VPI methods of analyses to predict structural and functional performance characteristics. Based on extensive search, there seems to be an expansive scope to better the current pavement design procedures through the integration of VPI for evaluation of performance criteria. Overall, it is envisioned that the prospects underscored in this detailed note will help advance the design procedures and certainly create a mechanistic-based design template for flexible pavements that exemplifies practical roadway scenarios.