Specifics of calculating required strength of highway pavements

Abstract

The article describes the specifics of calculating the required strength of pavements of modern highways. It is based on studies of traffic flow characteristics on the M-9 Baltiya highway, conducted in the period from 2003 to 2015. Detailed analyses of the results were performed. On the basis of the obtained data, the required elastic moduli of highway pavements were determined with account for the prospective service life: 15 years (the service life of heavy-duty pavements in accordance with Industrial Road Regulations ODN 218.046-01); 20 years (the prospective period when selecting the highway category according to Regulations SP 34.13330.2012); 24 years (the service life of pavements, determined by Decree of the Government of Russian Federation No. 658 dd. May 30, 2017). Basic regulatory documents are listed, with the methods to design road pavements and calculate the main design parameters. Based on the data obtained in the study of highways, the modern method of designing road pavements and calculating design parameters is assessed since these values were determined 30–50 years ago and currently do not meet modern transport and operational requirements. It is concluded that serious comprehensive research is required to adjust the methods of designing road pavements and calculating design parameters, and use rigid road pavements more widely to increase the durability and strength of road pavements. The author also suggests a new algorithm for designing road pavements for highways, which makes it possible to use the existing method to compensate for a significant part of its disadvantages.