Question 1

What is ALIZE-LCPC software?

Accepted Answer

ALIZE-LCPC is a mechanistic-empirical pavement design and analysis program that applies the official French (LCPC) rational method. Using the Burmister multi-layer elastic model, it computes stresses, strains, and deflections in layered pavements and verifies layer thicknesses against fatigue and rutting criteria for a target traffic loading.

Question 2

Who develops and distributes ALIZE-LCPC?

Accepted Answer

ALIZE-LCPC is edited by Université Gustave Eiffel, the institution formerly known as IFSTTAR / LCPC (the French public laboratory for roads and bridges) that originated the method in the 1980s. Itech is the exclusive worldwide distributor, providing licensing, technical support, and training. In India and South Asia it is available through RAM CADDSYS.

Question 3

What design method and standards does ALIZE-LCPC follow?

Accepted Answer

It implements the French rational pavement design method, with the New Pavements module referencing NF P98-086 (2019), the 1994 French design guide, and the 1998 pavement structures catalogue. The airfield module follows the 2013 STAC-DGAC/IFSTTAR airfield guide, and the logistics-platform module references RGRA n°916. Design uses the 13 t French reference axle plus risk and traffic-aggressiveness factors.

Question 4

What pavement types can it design?

Accepted Answer

It handles flexible (bituminous) pavements, thick-bituminous structures, semi-rigid pavements with hydraulically bound bases, and rigid concrete pavements — for roads, highways, airfields, and port/logistics platforms.

Question 5

What is the theoretical basis of ALIZE-LCPC?

Accepted Answer

It uses the Burmister multi-layer linear-elastic model to compute stresses and strains at any point or depth in the pavement. Calculated tensile strain at the bottom of bound layers (εt) and vertical strain at the top of the subgrade (εz) are compared to admissible values derived from material fatigue and rutting behaviour and the cumulative design traffic.

Question 6

Can ALIZE-LCPC process FWD or deflection-test data?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The strengthening/rehabilitation module includes back-calculation of layer moduli from deflection-basin measurements taken with Falling Weight Deflectometers, Benkelman beams, or other deflectometers, which supports evaluation and overlay design of existing pavements.

Question 7

Does ALIZE-LCPC design airport pavements?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A dedicated airfield (Aéroports) module implements the 2013 STAC-DGAC/IFSTTAR rational method for airport pavements and includes an aircraft database, daily-traffic assistant, materials database, and damage-analysis tools for runways, taxiways, and aprons.

Question 8

Does it include a materials database?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ALIZE-LCPC ships with the French standardised materials catalogue (bituminous mixes, hydraulically bound materials, concrete, untreated granular layers, and soils) and also lets engineers define their own material properties for projects outside the standard catalogue.

Question 9

Can ALIZE-LCPC be used outside France, for example for Indian roads?

Accepted Answer

The software's built-in standards, catalogue, and reference axle are French, but its core engine is a general multi-layer elastic solver with user-defined materials, loads, and criteria. Engineers can therefore model arbitrary pavement structures and loads; however, verification against another country's design standard (for example IRC guidelines in India) is the engineer's responsibility, as the packaged criteria are based on the French method. Confirm the exact scope with RAM CADDSYS for your project.

Question 10

What are the main modules of ALIZE-LCPC?

Accepted Answer

The application offers modules for new road pavements, pavement strengthening/rehabilitation (with deflection back-calculation), airfield pavements, and port/logistics platforms — all sharing the same Burmister-based rational design engine.

Question 11

Is ALIZE-LCPC available in India through RAM CADDSYS?

Accepted Answer

Yes. RAM CADDSYS distributes ALIZE-LCPC for the Indian and South Asian market, providing software licenses, technical training, and pavement-engineering support.

Question 12

How is ALIZE-LCPC licensed and what does it cost?

Accepted Answer

ALIZE-LCPC is commercial licensed software supplied through Itech and, in India/South Asia, through RAM CADDSYS. Pricing depends on the modules required (roads, airfield, logistics, strengthening) and licence type — contact RAM CADDSYS for a current India quotation and the available module bundles.

Criterion	ALIZE-LCPC	CESAR-LCPC
Method	ALIZE-LCPCBurmister multi-layer linear-elastic theory	CESAR-LCPCGeneral-purpose finite element analysis (2D and 3D)
Best for	Fast, code-compliant pavement thickness design and rehabilitation using the French rational method	Pavement problems with complex geometry, non-linear materials, 3D slabs, or thermal loading beyond layered-elastic assumptions
Scope	Dedicated to pavement structures — roads, airfields, port/logistics platforms, and rehabilitation	Broader civil and geotechnical FEA — tunnels, excavations, foundations, slopes, and pavements
Design basis	Strength: Verifies against NF P98-086, the French pavement catalogue, and STAC-DGAC/RGRA n°916 admissible-strain criteria	Simulation and analysis platform; geotechnical and pavement verification is performed by the engineer from the FE results

RoadPavementDesignandStructuralAnalysisSoftware

What is ALIZE LCPC?

Where ALIZE LCPC works

New road and highway pavement design

Pavement evaluation, rehabilitation and strengthening

Airport and airfield pavement design

Port and logistics platform design

Supported codes and standards

France (NF / LCPC)

France (Airfield & Logistics)

ALIZE-LCPC vs CESAR-LCPC

Looking for ALIZE LCPC Training?

License Types

Perpetual License

Subscription License

Frequently Asked Questions

Put ALIZE LCPC to work
on your next project.

Pairs well with ALIZE LCPC

CESAR LCPC

PLAXIS

GEO5