What role does resilient modulus play in predicting pavement performance?

Resilient modulus is a critical parameter used in pavement engineering to assess how well a pavement will perform under repeated loading conditions, such as those caused by vehicles passing over it. This value is a measure of the material's stiffness and its ability to recover shape after being subjected to stress.

In pavement design, understanding the resilient modulus helps engineers predict how the pavement structure will bear the stresses and strains over time. This prediction is essential for evaluating long-term performance, ensuring that the pavement can withstand not only initial conditions but also various environmental factors and traffic loading over its lifespan.

By providing insights into the deflection and deformation characteristics of the pavement material under typical loading scenarios, resilient modulus plays an integral role in determining how well the pavement will function and resist issues such as cracking, rutting, and structural failure. This focus on long-term behavior is crucial for ensuring that pavements remain serviceable and safe for all users.