49258 Pavement Analysis and Design
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): ((120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10061 Bachelor of Engineering Diploma Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10066 Bachelor of Engineering Science OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10067 Bachelor of Engineering OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09067 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09066 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)) AND 48330 Soil Behaviour)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
The aim of this subject is to develop students' technical competence in the analysis and design of road pavements as well as enhance professional practice-oriented skills. The ability to analyse and design different types of pavements together with their material characterisation, construction aspects, maintenance and management is considered necessary for those who would like to work in the field of road infrastructure and pavement design.
Students recognise that completion of this subject supports them to work in an internationalised world. The subject comprises lectures, active tutorials, collaborative learning sessions, detailed design projects and individual tests, assignments and technical presentations. The research project allows students to learn critical review of engineering documents, project reports and disciplinary research skills. The syllabus covers: an introduction to basic types of pavements, design traffic loading calculations, pavement materials, subgrade stabilisation, drainage systems, design of rigid and flexible pavements, pavement maintenance and management systems, and also comparison of pavement design methods.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Critique design methods and rehabilitation of flexible and rigid pavements under a variety of traffic loadings, subgrade and environmental conditions. (B.1) |
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| 2. | Evaluate the performance of pavements and identify the basic characteristics of pavement structures and the modes of failure for flexible and rigid pavements. (C.1) |
| 3. | Apply appropriate numerical and analytical procedures in design of rigid and flexible pavements. (D.1) |
| 4. | Recommend and justify the most appropriate construction method and drainage consideration in road pavements. (C.1) |
| 5. | Reflect on the knowledge gained in design, construction and drainage specifications of roads for examining possible solutions and improvements. (F.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, and influence stakeholders, and apply expert judgment establishing and managing constraints, conflicts and uncertainties within a hazards and risk framework to define system requirements and interactivity. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
- Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their own and others' performance with a high level of responsibility to improve and practice competently for the benefit of professional practice and society. (F.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
- 1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
- 1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline.
- 2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 3.4. Professional use and management of information.
- 3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
Teaching and learning strategies
The teaching and learning strategies adopted in this subject include workshops and collaborative learning sessions, integrating a variety of online learning activities. Students are expected to read the materials uploaded to Canvas including workshop notes, video clips and worked examples on the topic before attending the class. Class time is used to integrate that knowledge through discussions and problem-solving activities that focus on conceptual questions, design methodologies and construction aspects of geotechnical structures
Students undertake a collaborative project in this subject. The aim of this project is to develop team research and design skills by applying the course material, critically reviewing available information in the literature, and analysing data in a practical design situation. Individual assessment tasks in this subject will include solving technical problems, preparation of written reports and completion of quizzes as self-learning modules. These activities are designed to encourage students to work with a wide range of data inputs and apply innovative approaches.
There are many opportunities for students to receive constructive individual and collective feedback in the subject, including peer and instructor online formative feedback.
Content (topics)
This subject covers various aspects of pavement analysis and design and current practice in this field:
- Introduction to basic types of pavements (bituminous, concrete and interlocking)
- Stresses and strains in flexible pavements
- Stresses and deflections in rigid pavements
- Traffic loading and volume
- Pavement materials and their characterisation
- Drainage materials and design
- Flexible pavement design
- Rigid pavement design
- Design of overlays and hot mix asphalt resurfacing
- Pavement materials
- Subgrade stabilisation
- Subgrade evaluation
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Quizzes
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students strengthen their knowledge in the application of theoretical and practical concepts relating to pavement design methods, traffic analyses, materials and geosynthetics. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Students will be given 1 week to submit their worked solutions to Canvas after the availability of each online quiz is announced. |
Assessment task 2: Exercise Sets
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students apply empirical and mechanistic design skills to classify, formulate and problem solve pavement design scenarios for flexible and rigid pavements. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | No more than 7 pages in length for each exercise set. |
Assessment task 3: Research Project and Peer assessment
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students will critique findings in literature, conduct scientific investigations and perform rigorous analysis using computational tools to develop solutions to solve pavement design problems in collaborative team environment. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | No more than 20 pages in length. |
Assessment task 4: Reflective Presentation
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students will reflect on their knowledge derived from review of recent research practices being adopted in Australia and/or overseas pertaining to the topic covered in the research project.
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | The total length of the video recording should not exceed 3 minutes. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Recommended texts
- Austroads (2019). Guide to Pavement Technology Part 2 - Pavement Structural Design Austroads publication, Sydney, Australia
- Austroads (2019). Guide to Pavement Technology, Austroads Publications, Sydney, Australia
- American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) (1993). Guide for Design of Pavement Structures, Washington, D.C., USA
References
A set of course notes will be provided together with a copy of the main slides used in lectures. No references will be made to specific textbooks so students will not find it necessary to purchase a book; however, any of the following books would constitute a suitable reference book for the subject:
- Delatte, N. (2018). Concrete Pavement Design, Construction, and Performance. CRC Press.
- Douglas, R. A. (2018). Low-volume Road Engineering: Design, construction, and maintenance. CRC Press.
- Huang, Y. H. (2003). Pavement Analysis and Design, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 2nd edition.
- McNally, G. (2017). Soil and Rock Construction Materials. CRC Press.
- Papagiannkis, A.T. and Masad, E.A. (2008). Pavement Design and Materials John Wiley &Sons Inc ISBN 978-047121461.
- Thom N (2008) Principles of Pavement Engineering, Thomas Telford Publishing ISBN 978-072773220X.
- Underwood, R.T (1995). Road Engineering Practice, Macmillan Education.
Other resources
The Austroads Website: http://www.austroads.com.au
(Austroads is the association of Australian and New Zealand road transport and traffic authorities). Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS): http://www.australiangeomechanics.org/
Canvas Dashboard (uts.edu.au): https://canvas.uts.edu.au
A copy of student notes will be available on Canvas. A copy of lecture slides will also be available on Canvas together with a copy of assignments and tutorials questions. In addition, all important announcements will be posted on Canvas. Students are encouraged to set up a student forum for discussion about their major project or any other topics related to Pavement Analysis and Design on Canvas. All students are expected to check this site frequently for any material and announcements. It is therefore imperative that students ensure that their current e-mail address is registered.