Working Examples of Flexible Pavement design by (AASHTO 1993)

Q # 1. A exible pavement for an urban interstate highway is to be

designed using the 1993 AASHTO guide procedure to carry a design ESAL
of 2 x 106. It is estimated that it takes about a week for water to be
drained from within the pavement and the pavement structure will be
exposed to moisture levels approaching saturation for 30% of the time.
The following additional information is available:
Resilient modulus of asphalt concrete at 68F = 450,000 lb/in2
CBR value of base course material = 100, Mr = 31,000 lb/in2
CBR value of subbase course material = 22, Mr = 13,500 lb/in2
CBR value of subgrade material = 6
Initial Serviceability = 4.5
Terminal serviceability = 2.5
Determine a suitable pavement structure, Mr of subgrade = 6 x 1500
lb/in2 = 9000 lb/in2.
Note: Please clearly state all your assumptions. Guidelines are given in
Tables and Figures, already provided to you
Q#2. Using the ESAL of question no 1, design the required structural thickness of the
pavement as mentioned in the above question using AASHTO 1993 Guide. It is estimated
that the subbase for the pavement structure will be exposed to moisture levels approaching
saturation 5 percent of the time, and the overall quality of the drainage is 'poor". The base
will be exposed to saturation level moisture approximately 10 percent of the time. The
following information is given:

Resilient modulus of the asphalt concrete at 680F =320,000 psi

The granular base CBR 80 and Mr =27,000 psi
An untreated granular subbase has a CBR =12 and Mr =12,000 psi
The subgrade has CBR= 2 and Mr 1500 psi
Standard deviation = 0.45
Initial Serviceability = 4.5
Terminal Serviceability = 2.2
Note: Please clearly state all your assumptions. Guidelines are given in tables and figures
below.
Q # 3. A rural collector flexible pavement consist of dual carriageway with two lanes per
direction is to be designed using AASHTO 1993 design guide. The flexible pavement is
designed to cater with ESAL value of 3.0 x 10 6 for the next of 20 years. Total relative damage

due to 12 months soil seasonal modulus values was recorded as 2.92. The drainage was
judged be very poor and it is estimated that the subbase and base for the pavement structure
will be exposed to moisture levels approaching saturation 12 percent of the time. Additional
information is given below:
Resilient modulus of the asphalt concrete at 680F =350,000 psi
The granular base CBR = 75 and Mr =25,000 psi
An untreated granular subbase has a CBR =15 and Mr =10,000 psi
Standard deviation = 0.45
Initial Serviceability = 4.5
Terminal Serviceability = 2.5
Please clearly state all your assumptions. Guidelines are given in tables and figures.

By: Zulfiqar Ali

Assistant Professor (CED)
Balochistan UET Khuzdar