Field evaluation and statistical analysis of the dynamic response of semi-rigid pavement under full-scale moving truck load

Mechanistic-based pavement distress prediction models or transfer functions are often used to assess damage or predict the service life of the pavement structure. The reliability of pavement structure design and performance predictions is highly dependent on the accuracy of the critical responses. The present study provides an experimental and statistical evaluation of the relationship between influencing factors such as traffic speed, vehicle axle load, and seasonal temperature, and the pavement mechanical response. In addition, the level of impact of each influencing factor and their two-way interaction or coupling effect on the pavement critical response was investigated. The results of the experimental investigation and the statistical analysis of the pavement mechanical response were presented, analyzed, and discussed. Besides, by combining the application of the orthogonal array test and multivariate regression analysis, the current study proposes a prediction model to predict the critical stress response at the bottom of the semi-rigid layer.