No abstract

The design of asphalt pavement structures is a process that involves the knowledge of variables that are difficult to predict and model.Sensitivity analysis applied to pavement performance prediction is essential to determine the most influential variables, and enable the optimization of design process. This study aimed to analyze the sensitivity of flexible pavements performance to variations in design parameters related to the thicknesses of asphalt layer, base and sub-base and resilient modulus of asphalt layer, base, sub-base and subgrade. For this purpose, a fractional factorial experiment was conducted, which had as output variables the accumulated damage in pavement structure, related to fatigue cracking and rutting in wheel wander. To obtain the accumulated damage, mechanistic-empirical design method was used, through PerRoad software. It was concluded that asphalt layer thickness isthe most sensitive parameter considering the distresses studied, having a higher sensitivity for fatigue cracking and a slightly lower sensitivity for rutting.