Citation :

Satyanandam Gangisetti, Sunny Deol Guzzarlapudi, Laxmikant Yadu, "A Deflection Basin Parameters Based Approach to Enhance Seed Moduli Estimation in Three-Layer Flexible Pavements Backcalculation," International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 13, no. 8, pp. 397-413, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I8P124

Abstract

Estimation of seed moduli accurately are very important for conducting reliable backcalculation of layer (Bituminous, granular, subgrade) moduli using data generated by Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD). This research presents an effective Deflection Basin Parameter (DBP)-based correlation method for predicting seed moduli of flexible pavement layers at various distress levels. FWD tests were performed on three pavements having different distress levels in different parts of India. A database consisting of 7000 pavement responses was created with the help of IIT-PAVE software by taking into account different thickness and modulus combinations of layers. Regression models were formulated in order to find out correlations between DBPs and layer moduli (ML) of bituminous, granular, and subgrade layers. The formulated regression models were validated via backcalculation analysis using KGPBACK software and compared with the Abd El-Raof et al. (2018) technique. It was found that the proposed correlation models provided excellent prediction with the R-squared (R²) of 0.96, 0.95, & 0.81 for bituminous, granular, and subgrade layers, respectively. Validation of the models revealed that they showed smaller RMSE of 2.4% to 9.1% as compared to 4.2% to 10.8% found by the existing method.

Keywords

Deflection Basin Parameters, Falling Weight Deflectometer, Flexible Pavement, Backcalculation Analysis and Seed Moduli.

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