Mechanistic Model for Road Design in Sweden

Abstract

All roads in Sweden were designed with help of empirical data until 1994. Today, almost all road design is based on multi-layer models with large correction factors. In these models it is for example difficult to find a combination of influence on the road deterioration from many factors like frost/thaw and loading. Mechanistic models are under development in many universities and research institutes in the world today. Sweden has also started a research program on this theme some years ago, in order to create a new mechanistic design model for roads. One problem is that it is of no use to develop a system, which almost no-one can use. Therefore it is necessary to improve the knowledge and competence in the whole business trade for road design and road construction. One part of this work is a new and modern Swedish code, where the tables are replaced with calculation programs. Another part is a broad common education of consultants, clients and contractors. It is also important to validate a new design system and test methods. Sweden has therefore started a broad co-operation between the technical universities and research institutes in the Nordic countries, which could be extended also to other countries. For the covering abstract see ITRD E118503.