Multivariate Life Cycle Cost Analysis Related to Fatigue Cracking in Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements Subjected to Superloads

A recent trend in pursuing high transportation efficiency has resulted in a significant change in the size and capacity of superloads, as well as variation in the size and capacity of implements of husbandry and superheavy loads, the main types of superloads, have resulted in great difficulty for road engineers in estimating pavement performance and treatment cost allocation. Evaluating the impact of superloads on jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP) performance requires a mechanistic and empirical analysis approach when predicting accumulated pavement life cycle damage caused by many superload passes with widely varying loading configurations and high axle weights. This study determined JPCP performance during pavement service life in terms of accumulated fatigue cracking when subjected to superloads using finite-element-based JPCP analysis results. Multivariate life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) was conducted for various JPCP structures and superload types to quantify service life reduction and pavement damage–associated cost resulting from a single pass of different superload types. Conclusions drawn from the multivariate LCCA highlight the significance of JPCP structure, superload type, and payload level on JPCP damage and associated treatment costs, providing a mechanistic basis for permit fee decisions related to superloads traveling on JPCPs.