METHOD FOR EVALUATING THE CONDITION OF PAVEMENTS - PCI

The PCI method, which by its initials in English (Pavement Condition Index) and in Spanish means Pavement Condition Index, was created in the years of 1974 - 1976, in charge of
the US Air Force with the purpose of maintaining the pavements in good condition keeping a control for maintenance in a controlled manner. The main objective of the PCI method is to determine the

state of the rigid or flexible pavement through a visual inspection, identifying the class, severity and quantity of each type of failure found on the surface of the rolling folder or asphalt folder, this method adopts an easy interpretation methodology for its use. This method for evaluation and qualification is very complete so it was adopted by the ASTM for publication as a method of analysis and application on roads and gave it the name of ASTM D6433 Pavement Condition Index Method.
           

Definition of the PCI Pavement Condition Index Method.

The ASTM D6433 method of the Pavement Condition Index is a methodology that is directed to the evaluation and qualification of flexible and rigid pavement that through a visual inventory results are obtained, highlighting the class, severity and quantity of each type of hurt.

The results obtained from the evaluation are related to the environment and traffic loads that cause the pavement to deteriorate, the results obtained from the PCI is a numerical result from 0 to 100 that is calculated according to the type of faults that are observed in the rolling folder where 0 the pavement is totally failed and 100 the pavement is in an excellent state. The PCI method is oriented only to assess the surface condition of the pavement therefore can not make calculations or evaluations of the structure of the pavement to determine its degree of resistance or roughness, likewise the PCI method gives the possible solutions for the maintenance or repair of the pavements according to the type of faults found in said way.

Objectives of the Pavement Condition Index - PCI
determine the condition of the pavement structure through qualifications established in the PCI.
provide a measurement of the conditions based on observed faults in the pavement surface.
Provide an objective and rational basis to determine the needs and priorities of repair and maintenance.

Provide information on pavement performance for validation or to incorporate improvements in its design and maintenance procedures.