Revised 2020
Port pavement design safeguards pavement from failure over a predetermined period of time. There are two types of failure associated with port pavements; structural failure and surface or functional failure. One influences the other, and failure of each or both leads to decreased operational efficiency or complete operational failure. Obviously, these failures have unfavorable economic consequences for the port operator. Therefore, a complete port pavement design must address all of the issues which might lead to structural and functional failures. In order to prevent them, port pavement design requires consideration of the following:
- structural design
- drainage design
- surface characteristics
- provision of underground services
- traffic and storage management markings, signs, and structures
- interface with other facilities and structures
- selection of appropriate construction techniques
- environmental and visual concerns
The purpose of this manual is to provide guidance on the structural design of pavements serving ports and other industries. Designers are advised, however, to consider all of the above when developing a project. Ignoring one or more of these considerations can lead to progressive reduction in pavement serviceability and performance. Ultimately structural, function, and eventually operational failure will occur. Many of these broader considerations are discussed in other publications by the Authors (1).