Evaluation of flexible pavement construction cost according to the design method

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to propose a cost-optimal design method for flexible pavements based on specific design parameters, in compliance with Greek and European technical regulations and standards regarding roadworks. Three design methods for flexible pavements that are most commonly used in Greece were evaluated, namely the Asphalt Institute (AI) method, the British design method and the method of Egnatia Odos (EO). The first two methods are used worldwide whereas the EO method was developed by Greek designers and has found wide application in Greece and neighbouring countries. The design parameters evaluated in this study were traffic volume, subgrade soil bearing capacity and air temperature. In most of the examined design scenarios, the AI method was found to offer the lowest-cost design solution for flexible pavements. However, the British design method provided a reduced-cost solution taking pavement thickness into account for heavy or very heavy traffic loads and a poor-quality subgrade soil. If the design case is a road with heavy traffic load and good-quality subgrade soil, the EO method produced the lowest cost for a flexible pavement.