UC Berkeley

This report details the research undertaken to develop revised design tables for permeable interlocking concrete pavement using a mechanistic-empirical design approach. The study included a literature review, field testing of existing projects and test sections, estimation of the effective stiffness of each layer in permeable interlocking concrete pavement structures, mechanistic analysis and structural design of a test track incorporating three different subbase thicknesses (low, medium, and higher risk), tests on the track with a Heavy Vehicle Simulator to collect performance data to validate the design approach using accelerated loading, refinement and calibration of the design procedure using the test track data, development of a spreadsheet based design tool, and development of revised design tables using the design tool. A new example design table, based on the number of days with standing water in the subbase (zero, 10, 30, 50, 90, and 120) has been developed. The table uses a similar format to that currently used in the ICPI Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavements guideline. The minimum design thicknesses required to prevent subgrade rutting that are proposed in the new table do not differ significantly from those in the current ICPI guide, and are mostly less conservative. Designs for a specific set of project circumstances can be undertaken using the same Excel® spreadsheet-based design tool used to develop the tables in conjunction with the hydrological design procedures provided in the ICPI guide.