"This manual outlines a procedure for the analysis and design of flexible pav~ts. The analytic techniques upon which this procedure 1S based have been as-sembled from sound fundamental principles, evaluations of laboratory data, and field studies. The concepts used have been formulated in State Highway Planning and Research, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Administrntive Contract, and FHWA staff studies. The overall framework was developed and programmed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under FHWA contract (2). A modification of the MIT program (VESYS 11M) is now availabIe for implementation by highway departments and other agencies cooperating with the FHWA in applying the mechanistic predictive procedures to the structural analysis and design of pavement systems. Work on the manual was initiated by the Pavement Systems Group of the Office of Research and Development for the purpose of organizing, systematizing, and publishing the design procedure. It will assist the pavement designer in analyzing the structural integrity of flexible pavement systems. Work was accomplished under project SC, "New Methodology for Flexible Pavement Design," under the direction of William J. Kenis. FHWA staff who contributed to this effort include Dr. T.F. McMahon, Mr. George Tiller, Mr. James Sherwood, Mr. Loren Staunton, and Mr. Brian Brademeyer. Typing of the manual was done by the FHWA Word processing Center, and Mrs. Fredericka Smith. The predictive design procedure is adaptable to an overall highway management system. Such a system will be capable of predicting pavement distress and maintenance requirements. The optimum design and maintenance strategy alternative will be identified through an evaluation of total pavement cost."