Comprehensive evaluation approach of flexible MEPDG for Minnesota conditions

This paper presents a comprehensive factorial analysis of the input parameters for flexible pavements design using the MEPDG. Typical design inputs for Minnesota conditions were used to run a total of 768 simulations. The same projects were run using update and previous versions of the MEPDG to compare and study the changes in the performance prediction models. Additionally, statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the relative importance of each input parameter on the predicted distresses. Moreover, MEPDG predictions were compared to the observed distresses for MnROAD test sections. It was found that for high and low volume traffic AC thickness is significant for the prediction of all distresses. Additionally, climate, binder and soil type are the parameters that contain almost all the predictive information for transverse cracking. Climate is relevant for all the distresses except longitudinal cracking. The subgrade type and subbase thickness are significant for all distresses.