In the mechanisticempirical design what is the empirical par

In the mechanistic-empirical design, what is the empirical part? Why is no “transfer function” used in the AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design software analysis for predicting future smoothness?

Solution

The goal of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) is to identify the physical causes of stresses in pavement structures and calibrate them with observed pavement performance. These two elements define this approach to pavement design: the focus on physical causes is the “mechanistic” part, and using observed performance to determine relationships is the “empirical” part.

The flexible and semi-rigid pavement transfer functions have not been recalibrated since the software was taken over by AASHTO in 2010. In FY2018, the flexible and semi-rigid pavement transfer functions will be recalibrated which will be completed by the end of this calendar year. As a result, a mid-year release of the software is planned for early January 2018.