ABSTRACT
This paper aims to present guidelines towards the economically optimal design method for flexible pavements based on specific design parameters and in compliance to Greek national and European technical regulations concerning road works. The study considers different design methods for flexible pavements which are most commonly used in Greece, namely the Asphalt Institute methodology, the British design method and the methodology of Egnatia Odos. Design parameters examined are the volume of traffic, the soil subgrade quality and environmental conditions. The authors have concluded that the Asphalt Institute methodology for flexible pavements offers the economically optimal design solution for the pavement thickness in the majority of cases. However, the British design method offers the lowest cost concerning pavement thickness when traffic load is heavy or very heavy and subgrade soil quality is poor. Lastly, the Egnatia Odos methodology suggests the lowest cost for flexible pavement thickness for roads of heavy traffic load and good subgrade soil quality.
