FACTORIAL STUDY OF RELATIONS BETWEEN PAVEMENT COST AND LEGAL AXLE LOADS
Results are presented of a study conducted to estimate lifetime costs for flexible pavements as a function of legal axle-load limits by using an improved version of the VESY IIM computer program. VESYS IIM was modified to include capabilities for (a) seasonal characterizations of pavement materials, (b) a discretized representation of axle-load distribution, and (c) predictions of low-temperature cracking. A literature survey and a laboratory testing program were combined to produce definitions of the variations in permanent deformation parameters as important material characteristics vary seasonally with the environment. These data and other information and experience were applied to produce input data that would yield realistic performance predictions. A factorial of 64 solutions was obtained by using the input data and the improved version of VESYS IIM to study the effects of truck traffic for four levels of legal axle-load limits, two levels of traffic, two levels of pavement-section thickness, and four environmental zones. When failures were predicted, an overlay was applied and a new solution obtained until a pavement life of at least 20 years was attained. Initial and overlay costs were estimated, and these costs, for 20 years of pavement service, were related to legal axle-load limits. Estimated costs for 20 years of pavement service were considerably increased by increasing legal axle loads, and estimated cost increases were more severe for the northern than for the southern environmental zones of the United States. (Author)
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- Summary URL:
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309029759
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Supplemental Notes:
- Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Theory of Pavement Design. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
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Authors:
- Rauhut, J Brent
- Kenis, William J
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Conference:
- 58th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
- Location: Washington District of Columbia, United States
- Date: 1979-1-15 to 1979-1-19
- Publication Date: 1979
Media Info
- Media Type: Print
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: pp 22-30
- Monograph Title: Pavement systems: assessment of load effects, design, and bases
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Serial:
- Transportation Research Record
- Issue Number: 725
- Publisher: Transportation Research Board
- ISSN: 0361-1981
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Axle load force; Computer programs; Construction; Costs; Environment; Flexible pavements; Load limits; Load transfer; Maintenance management; Pavement performance; Pavements; Paving; Seasons; Simulation; Thickness; Trucks
- Uncontrolled Terms: Construction costs; Maintenance costs; Pavement thickness; Seasonal variations
- Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Construction; Finance; Geotechnology; Highways; Motor Carriers; Pavements;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00308541
- Record Type: Publication
- ISBN: 0309029759
- Files: TRIS, TRB
- Created Date: Apr 22 1980 12:00AM