Title: Framework to develop mechanistic-empirical pavement design towards sustainable road construction systems in data-scarce areas: Lebanon case study

Authors: Ali Hatoum; Jamal Khatib; Firas Barraj; Adel Elkordi

Addresses: Beirut, Lebanon ' Faculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut 11-5020, Lebanon; Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Balamand, P.O. Box 100, Al Koura 1304, Lebanon ' Faculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut 11-5020, Lebanon; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21511, Egypt

Abstract: Pavement performance modelling is a crucial element of pavement management systems, aiding in forecasting maintenance plans. This study focuses on a mechanistic-empirical process for pavement design in Lebanon and investigates the impact of overweight axles on pavement deterioration. Overloading axles significantly affects pavement performance, challenging sustainable development goals. Using KENLAYER software, critical strains were evaluated across pavement sections, assessing rutting and fatigue damage. New models, developed via MATLAB's regression learner app, establish connections between factors and critical pavement strains. These models streamline data processing, offer improved pavement life assessment, and decrease virgin material usage. Findings reveal that exceeding permissible axle loads by 10% reduces fatigue and rutting lives by 18% and 40%, respectively. Balanced pavement sections are also obtained for various overweight axle loads to achieve equilibrium between fatigue and rutting lives and prevent quick deterioration of the pavement.

Keywords: fatigue life; mechanistic-empirical; ME; overweight; pavement performance; rutting life; sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMRI.2025.146244

International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, 2025 Vol.10 No.3/4/5, pp.249 - 265

Received: 13 Aug 2023
Accepted: 02 Oct 2023
Published online: 14 May 2025 *

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