ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: A research project was initiated by Indiana Department of Transportation to estimate the structural contribution and feasibility of Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) bases for pavement structure under a low-medium volume traffic loading. Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) tests were conducted and the layer moduli were backcalculated on different construction phases: the surface of existing Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) pavement, the FDR base, the new HMA final surface, and the nine months’ traffic opening, respectively, for a total of four times. The results indicate the promise of this recycled base material in pavement construction compared to traditional granular base. In addition, this paper discusses how the lab test results relate to the expected performance in a pavement structure by the MEPDG software and its parameter effects. Research indicated the MEPDG provided comparable thickness to the 1993 AASHTO Guide if the failure criteria are set up reasonably. Therefore, the MEPDG could be used as a design tool to estimate layer thickness for FDR pavement with a low-medium traffic volume.
