Industry-funded initiative advances next-generation pavement design and provides engineers with new tools to specify interlocking concrete pavements
HERNDON, Va. (August 25, 2026) — The Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA), through a grant from the ICPI Foundation, has completed the first phase of an approximately $1 million industry-funded initiative to develop a new Mechanistic Empirical (M-E) design methodology for interlocking concrete pavements (ICPs).
Unlike traditional pavement design methods that rely primarily on formulas based on historical road tests, the M-E design method uses engineering analysis, laboratory testing, computer modeling and actual material properties to predict how pavements will perform under specific traffic loads, soil conditions, weather conditions, climates and material combinations before they are built. The result is a more accurate, flexible design process that will help engineers optimize pavement systems, evaluate innovative materials and confidently specify ICPs for a broader range of commercial, municipal and transportation projects.
“The future of our industry in commercial and transportation markets depends on giving architects and engineers the confidence to specify interlocking concrete paver systems on more projects,” said Robert Thomas, President and CEO of CMHA. “More advanced design methodologies substantiated by research will enable designers to explore new and better ways to make use of our members’ products.”
Why M-E?
For nearly 30 years, ICPs have been designed using the AASHTO-93 flexible pavement design method which is incorporated into ASCE 58-16. While that approach has consistently delivered durable, high-performing pavements, the new M-E methodology will allow engineers to better evaluate alternative pavement structures, recycled materials and unique project conditions using state-of-practice engineering tools.
The research confirmed that the paver and bedding layers function together as a highly coherent structural system rather than independent layers. That insight, and the documented interaction, improves the accuracy of pavement design models and gives engineers a better understanding of how complete pavement systems perform under load.
“We’re not replacing a design method that works,” said Robert Bowers, P. Eng., Vice President of Engineering, Hardscapes for CMHA. “We’re building on decades of successful performance with modern engineering tools that give designers more flexibility, encourage innovation and increase confidence in specifying interlocking concrete pavements.”
Moving from research to implementation
The project now moves into full-scale validation using a heavy-vehicle simulator, where six pavement structures representing a variety of material combinations, including recycled concrete, concrete base, different aggregates and varying aggregate configurations, that will undergo millions of simulated truckloads.
The completed research will ultimately support updates to ASCE 58-16, revised CMHA technical guidance, updated design tables and future digital design tools, with final recommendations expected in 2028.
To learn more about CMHA’s engineering research, technical publications and education programs, visit CMHA.org.
About the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association
The Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) advances the concrete masonry and hardscape industry through technical leadership, education, advocacy, research and market development. By developing industry standards, funding research and providing engineering resources, CMHA helps members grow their businesses while expanding the market for concrete masonry and hardscape systems.