Systems Analysis Method for Pavement Structures

This paper describes a computer-based method of systems analysis for pavement structural design which is currently being used for study of special pavement problems. It is expected that the method will be adopted as a design technique in the near future. The program considers 43 input variables, ranging from constitutive parameters of paving materials, environmental factors, performance characteristics of the pavement, and the economic factors involved, including maintenance cost and user delay costs. Output from the program involves a complete evaluation of costs based on present value and is arrayed in a series of minimum cost designs selected by a branch and bound optimization technique. The paper describes the use of the method with particular attention to a sensitivity study of the parameters involved, in order to streamline the inputs for easy regular use by design agencies. Specific results for problems investigated from the sensitivity analysis of several variables are presented.