APPENDIX J

ANALYSIS UNIT DELINEATION BY

CUTvlLXATIVE D I F F E R E N C E S

J.l APPROACH FUNDAMENTALS
A relatively straightfonvaxd and powerful anajyti-
cal method for delineating statísticaLly homogenous
units from pavement response measurements along
a' highway system is the cumulative, difference ap-
proach. While the methodology presented is funda-
mentally easy to visualize, the manual implementation
for large data bases becomes very time-coosuming
and cumbersome. However, the approach is presented
because it is readily adaptable to a computerized
(microcomputer) solution and graphic analysis. This
approach can be used for a wide variety of measured
pavement response variables such as deflection, serv-
iceability, skid resistance, pavement distress-severity
Índices, etc.
cumulativc área caused by the overall average project
response. It should be recognized that the slopes
(deri\'atives) of the cumulative área curves are simply
the response valué for each unit (r,, r j , and r¡) whüe
the slope of the dashed line is the overall average re-
sponse valué of the entire project length considered.
At the distance, x, the cumulative área of the average
project response is:
A , --= f r dx (J.2)
Jo
with
xi

Í
Figure J.l iliustrates the overall approach concept rxi rx.

using the initial assumptions of a continuous and con-

At
stint response valué ( r j within various intervais (O to áx + r, dx 4- i rj dx
r = Ti
X , ; X, to X 2 ; X2 to X3) along a project length. From this
figure, it is obvious that three unique units having
different response magnitudes (rj, f;, and T¡) exist and therefore
along the project. Figure J.l (a) iliustrates such a
response-distance result. I f one were to determine the
trcnd of the cumulative área under the response- = Lp X Ar
distance plot. Figure J.l(b) would result. The solid
line indicates the results of the actual response curves. Knowing both A^ and A , aliows for tíie detennina-
Bccausc the functions are continuous and constant ticn of the cumulative difference variable from:
within a unit, the cumulative axéa, at any x, is simply
the integral or
Z, = A , - A ,

As noted in Figure J.l(b), is simply the diñcr-

A = [ r, dx -1- TjdX (J.l)
•'o cnce in cumulative área valúes, at a given x, becween
the actual and project average lines. I f the Z^. valué is,
in tum, plotted against distance, x. Figure J.l(c)
with each integral being continuous within the respec- results. An examination of this plot iliustrates that the
tive intervais: location of unit boundaries always coincides with the
location (along x) where the slope of the Z^ function
changes algébrale signs (i.e., from negative to posi-
CO :S X < Xi) and (x, < x < Xj)
tive or vice versa). This fundamental concept is the
ultímate basis used to analytically determine the
lii Figure J. l(b), the dashed line represents the boundary location for the analysis units.
J-2.
Design of Pavcmcnl Siruclurcs
 Appendix J
J.2 A P P L I C A T I O N TO DISCONTINUOUS
VARIABLES
The schematic figures shcwn Ln Figure J. 1 are ob-
viously highly idealized. ln practice, measuremcnts
are normally discontinuous (point measurements),
frequentJy obtained at unequal intei-vals and never
constant, even within a unit. In onder to apply the
foregoing principies into a solution methodology
capable of dealing with these conditíons, a numerical
difference approach must be used. The form of the 21,
function is:
i= l J-p i=l
with
= V ' ^ ^ ^ x x , (16)
(Note: let r,, = ri for first interval)
where
n = the n"' pavement response measuiement,
= total number of pavement response
measurements taien in project, .
J-3
r; = pavement response valué of the i""
measurement,
T; = average of the pavement response valúes
betv/cen the (i — 1) and i * tests, and
Lp = total project length.
I f cqual pavement testing intervais are. used:
J.3 TABULAJl SOLUTION SEQUENCE
Table J.l is a table illustrating how the solution
sequence progresses and the necessary compuiational
sleps required for an unequal interval analysis. The
table and entries should be self-explanatory.
J.4 E X A M P L E ANALYSIS
In Part m , Chapter 3, actual restúts were shown for
an analysis unit delineation based upon a field Skid
Number test survey: SN(40). Table J.2 is a parcial
summary of the analysis, indicating only the initial
and final portions of the analysis for brevity. This
tabular data and solution forms the basis of the infor-
mation shown in Part HI, Figures 3.3 and 3.4.
 T^ble J . l . Tabular Solution Sequence—Cumulative Difference Approach
Col. (2) Col. (5) Col. (6) Col. (7)
Pavement Col. (3) Col. (4) Cumulative Average Actual Col. (8) Col. (9)
Col.(l) Resporise Interval Interval Interval Interval Interval Cumulative Z , Valué
Stallon Valué Number Distance Distance Response Arca Area Zx =
(Distance) (r,) (n) (Ax,) (EAx,) (ri) (a,) Ea, Col. (8) - F* Col. (5)

1 Ax, Ax, r, = r. a, = r,Ax, ai Z„ = a, - F*Ax,

1 r,
- (r, + rj)
2 AX2 (Ax, + Axj) 32 = r2AX2 a = (a, + 32)
- F*(Ax| + Axj)
2 ri
. (ri + h)
3 AX3 (Ax, -1- Ax2 4- Axj) aj = TsAxj a, + 32 + 33
2
0
- (r.-i + rn)
(Ax, + • • • + A x j r« - „ - am = f„,Ax„, a, + • • • + 32, Zxni = (a, + • • • + a„,)
- F*(Ax, + • • • + A x j
 Tahk J.2. Cumulntlvc Difference Eximiplc Problem (SN - 40)

Col. (1) Col. (2) Col. (3) Col. (4) Col. (5) Col. (6) Col. (7) Col. (8)
Statlon SN (40) Interval Interval Cumulative Avg. Interval Actual Cumulative Col. (9)
(Distance) Valué Number Distance Distance SN (40)- Interval Area Area Valué

0.5 mi 23 1 0.5 0.5 23 11.50 11.50 11.50 - 31.49(0,5) = -4,25

1.0 26 2 0.5 1.0 24.5 12,25 23,75 23.75 - 31.49(1.0) = -7.74
1.Í5 23 3 0.5 1,5 24.5 12.25 36,00 36,00 - 31.49(1.5) = -11.24
2.0 24 4 0.5 2.0 23.5 11.75 47.75 47,75 - 31.49(2,0) = -15.23
2.5 26 5 0.5 2.5 25.Ó 12.50 60.25 60.25 - 31.49(2,5) = -18.48
; 1

74.0 . 27 148 0.5 74.0 29.5 14.75 2340,00 2340 - 31.49(74) = +9.74
74.'5 25 149 0.5 74.5 26.0 13.00 2353.00 2353.00 - 31.49(74.5) = +7.00
75.0 28 150 0.5 75.0 26.5 13.25 2366,25 2366.25 - 31.49(75.0) = +4.50
75,5 26 151 0.5 75.5 27.0 13.50 2379.75 2379.75 - 31.49(75.5) = +2.26
76.0 28 152 0.5 76.0 27.0 13.50 2393.25 2393.25 - 31.49(76.0) = +0.00
A, = 2393.25
Lp = 76.0
F* = 31,49