Preliminary k-Values

In the mechanistic-empirical (M-E) design/analysis of multi-layer flexible pavement structures, the resilient Preliminary response of layer materials to repeated traffic loading is quantified by the resilient modulus (M_R) parameter. M_R as a material stiffness parameter was initially introduced by Seed et al. [1] to measure the elastic modulus of a material at a given stress state. In pavement engineering, the parameter measures the elastic property of a layer material with consideration to the material’s non-linear characteristics. M_R Preliminary values may be determined directly in the laboratory through repeated load triaxial testing and indirectly through correlation with empirical soil strength parameters (California Bearing Ratio, Soil Support Value, and Resistance Value) or by back-calculating from deflections measured with falling weight deflectometer. But because M_R is a basic mechanistic Preliminary material property, its estimation through correlations with empirical soil strength parameters is not considered appropriate as the parameters do not reflect the conditions in a pavement under repeated traffic loading [2] .