Desarrollo de un software para el diseño de mezclas asfálticas y diseño de pavimentos flexibles mediante la aplicación del método Marshall y método AASHTO 93

Abstract

This paper presents the development of software called PaveSuite Pro for the design of asphalt mixtures using the Marshall method and the design of flexible pavements using the AASHTO 93 methodology, with the aim of optimizing the accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility of these processes in both academic and professional settings. PaveSuite Pro was developed in Python and is structured in two modules. The asphalt mixture module organizes the process into six sequential tabs where the user enters laboratory data, and the program calculates volumetric properties, generates the six Marshall design charts, and determines the optimum asphalt content. The flexible pavement module calculates the equivalent design axle loads using the truck factor method, solves the AASHTO 93 equation using an iterative bisection algorithm, interpolates the equivalent load factors, and generates the cross-section of the structural pavement to scale. Both modules allow saving projects in JSON format and exporting reports in PDF format. To verify the software's functionality, laboratory tests were performed using aggregates from the Kumochi quarry, Ambato canton, and AC-20 asphalt cement. The optimum asphalt content was 5.93%, with a stability of 1587 lb, a flow of 12.93 (1/100"), 3.09% air voids, and 14.87% maximum allowable volume (MAV). The pavement design yielded a required structural number (SN) of 3, with thicknesses of 10 cm for the asphalt surface course, 15 cm for the granular base course, and 15 cm for the granular subbase, resulting in an actual SN of 3.44. A comparison between manual results and those generated by the software showed differences of less than 5% in all parameters, confirming the program's accuracy. It is concluded that PaveSuite Pro correctly automates both procedures in accordance with current INEN, ASTM, and AASHTO standards, and constitutes a free-access tool adapted to the Ecuadorian regulatory context for students and professionals of the Faculty of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Ambato.