A brief description of a method for designing premium composite pavements is given. A premium pavement is defined as a pavement structure that will per· form free from structural maintenance for 20 years and will require only mini· mum maintenance for an additional 10.. 20 years. To satisfy this requirement, the procedure incorporates the best current design and construction practices for composite pavement. The method described provides highway engineers with a systematic technique for selecting a premium pavement design. The procedure is more complex than some empirically based systems but is relatively easy to use. The complete manual includes a number of charts, figures, and worksheets and a procedure for their use. On the basis of design data, a user can select a preealculated pavement cross section from a catalog of designs. An overview of the design system and a brief explanation of the procedure and of the factors considered in the development of the procedure are given. An ex· planation of the design inputs required for use of the procedure is also included. A discussion of the limiting criteria used in development of the design procedure for premium pavement is fallowed by special considerations required for the design of reinforcement in the concrete layers of composite pavements and dis· cussion of the design methodology.

For several years, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has pursued multiple research studies aimed at producing premium pavement structures for heavily traveled highways. The intention of these efforts has been to develop pavef! lents and minimize maintenance, which disrupts traffic flow and creates hazards and high user costs. This research is aimed