Calibration of structural cracking models for asphalt pavements: HDM-4 case

Abstract

The HDM-4 (Highway Development Management) models used for pavement management activities must be adapted to specific conditions of the country or region where they are to be used by adjusting certain calibration factors. This work presents results obtained from the calibration of structural cracking models in HDM-4 version 1.1, and comparing the results from equivalent HDM-III models. The ‘‘windows’’ methodology is used to reconstruct the distress performance curve of a specific road category based on the observation of conditions of diverse roads with similar characteristics (such as traffic, pavement structural capacity and climatic conditions) but different ages. Also, recommendations are made for calibrating performance models, as well as for establishing calibration factors for asphalt pavement structural cracking models more appropriate for Chilean roads. Although the results of the HDM-III and HDM-4 calibrated models have similar values, the HDM-4 version 1.1 cracking models are recommended due to their operational advantages.