Evaluation of the approach used for modeling the base under jointed plain concrete pavements in the AASHTO Pavement ME Design Guide

This study evaluates the modeling of different base types under new jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCP) in the AASHTO Pavement ME Design Guide. It was found that the Pavement ME overestimated the stress in JPCP for unbonded stabilized bases and granular bases and underestimated the stress for bonded stabilized bases when compared to other models. The error in stress estimation results from modeling an unbonded base with a bonded-but-weightless base in the structural model, which is critical when the environmental loading is predominant and/or the base is stiff. Because the separation between layers that are not bonded cannot be accommodated, the behavior of a granular base cannot be accurately reflected, especially not by an elastic continuum.