According to Wikipedia, pavement engineering is a branch of civil engineering that focuses on the design, construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of pavement structures, including flexible (asphalt) and rigid (concrete) pavements. It combines knowledge of soil mechanics, hydraulics, traffic loading, and material properties to develop safe, durable, and cost-effective roads, streets, highways, and airport pavements.

Pavement engineering also involves evaluating the condition of existing pavements to determine the most appropriate maintenance or rehabilitation strategies. Engineers commonly use the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) to assess pavement performance and identify repair needs. Non-destructive testing methods, such as the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), are used to measure pavement deflection and estimate the structural capacity of pavement layers. Based on these evaluations, engineers determine suitable pavement thicknesses using either empirical or mechanistic design methods, ensuring long-term performance while minimizing maintenance costs.