Development of Mechanistic–Empirical Design Procedure for Fully Permeable Pavement under Heavy Traffic

Abstract

Fully permeable pavements are those in which all layers are intended to be permeable and the pavement structure serves as a reservoir to store water during storm periods to minimize the adverse effects of stormwater runoff. Fully permeable pavements are currently used primarily for light traffic (e.g., parking lots that only allow cars, not trucks). The development of fully permeable pavement designs as a potential best management practice for stormwater management in areas that carry heavy truck traffic is of significant interest. Results are presented from one phase of a project to develop mechanistic–empirical design procedures for fully permeable pavement designs that will carry heavy vehicles operating primarily at slow speeds (e.g., in maintenance yards, parking lots, streets, and highway shoulders). Mechanistic–empirical computer modeling of the structural designs was performed for three types of surface material (open-graded asphalt, open-graded concrete, and concrete slabs with cast drainage), considering different traffic loading based on typical California highway truck traffic, different traffic speeds, and several typical California climate regions, as well as materials properties developed from laboratory testing. A preliminary design method and preliminary design charts that considered both hydraulic and structural performance were developed; some examples of their use are provided. The mechanistic–empirical approach used in this project for the development of fully permeable pavement designs could increase the speed of development and implementation of this technology.