Investigation on 3D 1-mm Pavement-Surface-Model-Based AASHTO PP69-10 Rutting Parameters

Abstract Rutting measurement is critical to modern pavement modeling and management. Over the years, pavement rutting has been measured manually or using limited-point automated devices. However, such lagging technologies and outdated protocols have led to the “rutting depth”-only convention, which compromises the application of rutting data. Recently, the new three-dimensional (3D) 1-mm pavement-surface model produced with a novel system is capable of providing pavement engineers full-lane-width high-resolution transverse profiles for rutting analysis. Multiple rutting characteristics, such as rutting cross-sectional area and deformation, can be consistently derived based on the new AASHTO protocol PP69-10. To provide insight into PP69-10 rutting parameters, bulks of transverse profile data collected from the Arkansas National Highway System (NHS) are analyzed in this study. The value range of PP69-10 deformation parameter is modeled in this study and the relationship of rutting depth measured with the traditional method and the new PP69-10 method is established. Furthermore, the correlations among different PP69-10 rutting attributes are examined. Results presented in this study will be helpful to highway agencies in shifting the state of the practice of rutting measurement.