Estudo Comparativo: Pavimento flexível x Pavimento rígido.

Abstract

The choice between flexible and rigid pavements represents a strategic decision in Brazilian highway engineering, especially in the context of continuous fleet growth and the increasing demand for structural performance and cost optimization throughout the service life of roadways. This study presents a literature review based on manuals from the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT), specialized technical literature, and consolidated design methods such as the traditional empirical method, MeDiNa, and PCA/84, addressing structural criteria, materials used, construction techniques, durability, and associated costs. The adopted methodology consisted of a bibliographic review and the comparative application of pavement design methods to a case study involving a section of BR-153 highway, near Pirenópolis, Goiás State, considering traffic parameters, subgrade characteristics, and design period. Based on the structural design and the estimation of construction and maintenance costs, differences in mechanical performance, resulting thicknesses, and economic impacts over the service life were analyzed. The results indicate that, although rigid pavement presents a higher initial construction cost, its lower frequency of interventions and greater durability may make it more advantageous under conditions of heavy traffic and long design periods. It is concluded that the choice of pavement type should consider not only the initial investment, but primarily the integrated analysis of structural performance and life-cycle cost throughout the highway’s service life.