The Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) has completed the first phase of a nearly $1 million research initiative to develop a new mechanistic-empirical design methodology for interlocking concrete pavements. Funded through a grant from the ICPI Foundation, the project aims to give engineers more accurate tools for evaluating pavement performance under varying conditions.

 
"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, CMHA president and CEO.

The research also confirmed that concrete pavers and their bedding layers function together as a cohesive structural system, rather than as independent layers. This finding could improve the accuracy of pavement models and support the evaluation of alternative structures and recycled materials.

The project will now advance to full-scale validation using a heavy-vehicle simulator. Six pavement structures featuring different material combinations will undergo millions of simulated truckloads. CMHA expects final recommendations in 2028. The completed research is intended to support updates to ASCE 58-16, revised technical guidance, updated design tables, and future digital design tools.

https://www.cmha.org/news-and-insights/cmha-completes-first-phase-of-landmark-pavement-research/

As seen in LASN magazine, November 2026.