To accelerate the implementation of AASHTO Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) in Pennsylvania, a simplified ME design method and a localized design tool are developed for concrete pavement. The new procedure, PittRigid ME, is based on the AASHTO MEPDG design procedure, but restricts design input parameters to the most influential and relevant for Pennsylvania conditions. It matches the MEPDG predicted performance at a fraction of the computational cost.

PittRigid ME can be used to predict pavement performance (i.e. fatigue cracking and joint faulting) or determine the concrete slab thickness and dowel diameters for given performance criteria and reliability level. It simplifies design process and reduces potential design errors from improper use of the AASHTOWare Pavement ME software.

The development of PittRigid ME procedure is documented in this report.