Development of an Equivalent Single-axle Load Factor and Thickness-design Equations for Asphalt Concrete Pavements based on the Mechanical-empirical Design Concept: A Case Study for Jeju
The purpose of this study was to optimize the design of asphalt concrete pavements for Jeju Island by considering the regional characteristics of the island. This study employed an MEPDG program to determine the allowable traffic loads for class 4 vehicles by considering the axle loads, climate, and material properties. Samples of basalt asphalt concrete from Jeju were used to measure the dynamic modulus for material property estimation. The climate input was based on 30-year climate data from Jeju. The thicknesses and moduli of the subgrade, subbase, and asphalt layers were incorporated into the design. The regression-analysis program SPSS was used to develop a regression equation for the overlay design, factoring in the modulus and thickness ratios between the existing and overlay asphalt layers. A pavement-thickness design formula tailored to Jeju's characteristics was derived. An equivalent single-axle load factor (ESALF) formula was developed to facilitate traffic-load estimation for different roads, enabling the easy incorporation of varying traffic volumes into the design. The ESALF formula demonstrated a high correlation with the pavement thickness, subgrade conditions, and axle loads, whereas the pavementthickness design formula exhibited strong correlations with the pavement thickness, subgrade state, thickness ratios, and modulus ratios. The use of basalt aggregates in asphalt concrete pavements provides an economically viable and technically sound solution for Jeju. The proposed design methodology not only reduces costs but also enhances pavement performance and road safety. The developed formulas offer flexibility in adjusting designs based on specific traffic conditions, providing optimal pavement solutions for different road categories.