PMSS Project Details

Project ID:	FHWA-PROJ-08-0043
Project Name:	Implementation of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements Performance-Related Specifications by State Highway Agencies
Status:	Active
Contact:	Last Name: Duval First Name: Richard Telephone: 202-493-3365 E-mail: Richard.DUVAL@dot.gov
Organization:	Federal Highway Administration - Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
Office:	Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Team:	Pavement Design and Construction Team
Roadmap/Focus area(s):	Infrastructure Research and Technology Strategic Plan and Roadmap
Project Description:	This is a continuation of a research contract activity which was started on October 1, 2008. The research contractor (Applied Research Associates) has so far performed satisfactorily on route to addressing the three contract objectives: (1) To incorporate Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide models in jointed plain concrete pavement performance-related specifications, as has been done for hot-mix asphalt performance-related specifications in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program 9-22.(2) To provide assistance to three States who want to develop or improve on their performance-related specifications.(3) To develop a plan for Statewide implementation of performance-related specifications, thereby saving time and eliminating much of the burden associated with current project-by-project jointed plain concrete pavements performance-related specifications development. The three objectives were identified in 2004 as high-priority research needs by the Concrete Technical Working Group that provided guidance for the Office of Asset Management's Performance Specifications Strategic Roadmap. They were also specifically identified as critical needs by participants in the November 2006 Advanced Quality Systems Workshop in Alexandria, Virginia. Also, the American Concrete Pavement Association has passed a resolution to encourage the further development and implementation of performance-related specifications, and the American Concrete Pavement Association staff have provided significant input in past performance-related specifications software development and jointed plain concrete pavements performance-related specifications field trials. All field trials were successful. The States conducting field trials (using performance-related specifications not based on the Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide models) were Indiana, Florida, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Those States plus others (e.g., California, Kansas) have now indicated a need for Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide-based performance-related specifications and for assistance with performance-related specifications implementation. This research contract activity will provide such performance-related specifications development and implementation assistance to three States and will result in Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide-based PaveSpec 4.0 performance-related specifications software that replaces the current PaveSpec 3.0. As noted above, this activity addresses a Fiscal Year 2010 Gap: "Performance-based Specifications Have Limitations Due to Existing Testing and Evaluation Protocols." It also addresses Fiscal Year 2010 Gap: "Lack of Guidance and Best Practices for QA." This activity will improve and implement current jointed plain concrete pavements performance-related specifications, moving them closer to performance-based specifications. It will also be the basis for Quality Assurance guidance.
Laboratories:	Not Applicable
Start Date:	October 1, 2008
End Date:	December 31, 2013
Funding Amount:	$585,000.00
FHWA Program Name:	Innovative Pavement Research and Deployment
Goals:	The following are the key project objectives: (1) Incorporating Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) models in jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP) performance-related specifications (PRS). (2) Providing assistance to State highway agencies in developing and using Level 1 and Level 2 PRS. (3) Developing a plan for Statewide implementation of PRS.
Project Type:	Offsite
Background Information:	Data not yet available
Test Methodology:	Data not yet available
Other Information:	Data not yet available
Partners:	Data not yet available
More Information URL(s):
Fieldtest:	Data not yet available
Expected Benefits:	Each of the studies' three objectives will in its own way benefit the concrete paving community. The incorporation of Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide models in performance-related specifications will result in construction personnel using post-construction performance prediction models that are consistent with the preconstruction models used by designers, including specification developers. The use of consistent models will promote better communications among the above-named parties and, in particular, allow for meaningful feedback from construction to design, leading to continuous improvements in quality and minimized life-cycle costs.
Deliverables:	1. Name: Final reports documenting work on updating PaveSpec to incorporate Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) models. Product Type(s): Research report Description: The deliverables are draft and final reports documenting work on updating PaveSpec to incorporate Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) models. Audiences: Researchers, State highway agencies Secondary Audiences: 2. Name: Screen shots Product Type(s): Research report, Training materials Description: The products are screen shots of input and output screens for the alpha version of the updated PaveSpec. Audiences: State highway agencies, Federal Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center staff Secondary Audiences: 3. Name: Final PaveSpec software. Product Type(s): Research report, Software Description: The product is the final release version of updated PaveSpec software (Section 508 compliant), along with source and object codes. Audiences: Researchers, State highway agencies, Federal Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center staff Secondary Audiences: 4. Name: User's manual Product Type(s): Research report, Training materials Description: The deliverable is a draft and final updated PaveSpec user’s manual (Section 508 compliant). Audiences: Researchers, State highway agencies, Federal Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center staff Secondary Audiences:
Related URL(s):
Project Findings:	Data not yet available
FHWA Topics:	Roads and Bridges--Construction and Project Management Roads and Bridges--Pavement and Materials
TRT Terms:	Performance Based Specifications Concrete Pavements Materials Quality Assurance Infrastructure Construction
FHWA Disciplines:	Pavement and Materials Construction and Project Management
Subject Areas:	Pavements Materials