CE 582

Pavement Design and Analysis

Spring 2005

Instructor: Dr. Ghassan Chehab

215A Sackett Building
Ph: 863-2936
Email: gchehab@engr.psu.edu
http://www.engr.psu.edu/ce/Faculty/chehab_g.htm
http://www.engr.psu.edu/ce/Divisions/Pavements/index.htm

Lecture T-TH 9:45-11:00 AM; 208 Thomas

Office Hours: T-TH: 11:00-12:00 PM

You are welcome to make appointments for visits outside of
office hours.

Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

ANGEL: The ANGEL system will be used for communication,

postings, and other course-related items as the need arises.

Text:
1. Pavement Design and Analysis; Huang Y; Second Edition
(available at the bookstore).
2. Class Handouts

References:
1. Principles of Pavement Design; Yoder
2. Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide; Software and
Reference Guide; www.trb.org/mepdg/
3. 1993 AASHTO Design Guide for Design of Pavement Structures
4. Hot Mix Asphalt Materials, Mixture Design, and Construction,
2nd Edition, 1996, NCAT, Roberts et al
5. A Guide for Hot Mix Asphalt Pavement (CD-ROM: TAS-30);
NAPA (can order through instructor)
6. Class Handouts

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Course Description:

The course covers the design and analysis of flexible and rigid pavements. Types
of pavement structures, distresses, and major rehabilitation techniques are demonstrated.
Emphases will be on the structural design aspects of the pavement and performance
prediction over its service life. Both empirical and mechanistic-empirical methods will
be illustrated. Characterization and behavior of pavement materials under various
environmental and traffic conditions will be defined, with emphasis on viscoelastic
behavior of asphalt materials. Experimental and non-destructive analysis techniques to
evaluate pavement condition are introduced.
The course is practically oriented. It will involve classical state of the practice
methods as well as advancements and latest research findings in the pavement design
and analysis arena. Topics will be covered through instructional activities inside and
outside the classroom, including presentations, handouts, homework, exams, and term
project.

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:
• Identify and select pavement structures for various environment and traffic
conditions.
• Characterize basic behavior of unbound and bound pavement materials.
• Relate material properties and behavior to structural performance and distresses
in pavement.
• Perform structural design of pavements including selection of appropriate
materials.
• Identify analysis and testing techniques to evaluate pavement conditions.

Course Outline:

I. Introduction to Pavement Systems

• Flexible Pavements
• Rigid Pavements
• Overlays
• Surface Treatments

II. Stresses and strains

• Flexible Pavements
• Rigid Pavements
• Interlayers

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 III. Material Characterization
• Unbound Materials
• Asphalt Concrete
• Portland Cement Concrete

IV. Pavement Performance

• Distresses
• Performance Indicators
• Performance Evaluation

V. Pavement Design
• Flexible Pavements
 Empirical Methods
 Mechanistic-Empirical Methods
• Rigid Pavements
 PCA Method

Course Evaluation:
Your semester grade will be based on a combination of activities
and assignments as outlined below:

Activity Description Total

Points
Possible
Mid-Term
Take-Home 600
Exam
Due 1 or 2 week(s) from hand-out
Homework 300
date
Pavement
Group of 3-4 students 600*
Design Project
Final Term Group of 3-4 students. Paper of
1500*
Project publishable quality expected.
Total 3000
* Grade will be adjusted based on peer evaluation

Letter Grade Determination:

A: 2700
A-: 2650
B+: 2550
B: 2400
B-: 2350
C+: 2250
C: 2100
D: 1900

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Course Policies

• No group work is allowed in completing homework. Duplicate homework will not

be graded.
• Design and final term project will be done in groups of three or four. Each group
member is expected to share the proper amount of work load. Peer evaluations will
be used to determine the group member’s contribution; and his/her project grade will
be adjusted accordingly.
• Presentability of submittals: The submission of your work reflects the time
consumed on completing it. Emphasis will be placed on the clarity, organization, and
readability of your work. Submittal grade will be decremented/incremented based on
its presentation quality.
• Attendance: Come to class promptly. Bring the relevant course text, study notes, a
calculator and note-taking material to each class period. A 3-ring binder will be
helpful to accommodate class handouts.
• Absence: Any absence should be reported before class, if possible. Graded or
evaluated material will not be accepted if the absence is not excused and coordinated
with me in advance.
• Course notes: Note-taking is absolutely necessary for this class.
• Final Term Project: The final term project carries 50% of the final course grade. It
will be assigned early on in the semester so that you have ample time to complete it.
You will have to make a class presentation. The term paper to be submitted at the
end of the project HAS to be of publishable quality in terms of content and format. It
is strongly advised that you follow the format required for ASCE manuscripts.

Academic Integrity

Every student is expected to uphold the university’s academic integrity

policy (PSU Senate Policy: 49-20).

If you do your best and have enough motivation, this course should go a long way in
advancing your knowledge base in Civil Engineering

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