Equivalent Standard Axle Load Analysis Considering Dynamic Load Based on Vehicle Axle-Tire Vertical Acceleration Field Testing

Abstract

AbstractIn order to examine equivalent axles load with dynamic load taken into account, pavement roughness test is carried out with a Vehicle Axle-tire Dynamic Load Tester, where axle-tire vertical acceleration of heavy trucks and light trucks are tested, respectively. Dynamic load is considered as a series of static loads following a normal distribution, and equivalent axles load is calculated according the Asphalt Pavement Design Specification. The results show that equivalent axles load time increase accordingly based on highway class. when tensile strain at bottom of surface is taken as design index, on high class highway equivalent standard load increases 8.3–14.9% for heavy truck, 3.6–5.4% for light truck; on low class highway, it increases 6.8–17.3% for heavy truck, 3.2–12.5% for light truck; when tensile stress at the bottom of semi-rigid base is taken as checking index. On a high class highway, it increases 34.2–64.9% for a heavy truck, 14.2–21.8% for a light truck; on a low class highway, it increases 27.5–77.1% for a heavy truck, 12.6–53.2% for a light truck. These research findings provide in-depth understanding regarding vehicle axle load conversion in dynamic load environment.