EFFECTS OF RAISING LOAD LIMITS ON PAVEMENTS AND BRIDGES IN INDIANA

A detailed analysis of maintenance requirements for pavements in Indiana under the present load limits and under suggested higher load limits has indicated that substantial increases in maintenance costs can be expected. This is verified by a search of available information published by other states under similar conditions. The estimated increase in maintenance cost for pavements can be expected to range between 10.67 and 12.24 million dollars annually in 1978 dollars. This will no doubt increase, depending largely upon the effect of the present energy shortage, particularly on the shortage of petroleum which will influence the cost of asphalt concrete. In the case of bridges, the conservative nature of the American Association of State Highway Officials design method minimizes the probability of increased costs required to strengthen bridges under new load limits. Increased costs resulting from damage to bridge decks are estimated to be from 2 to 3 million dollars.

• Corporate Authors:

  Purdue University/Indiana State Highway Commission JHRP

  Engineering Experiment Station
  West Lafayette, IN  United States  47907
• Authors:
  • Yoder, E J
  • Colucci-Rios, B
  • Fraczek, J
  • Skees, J A
• Publication Date: 1979

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 62 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Load limits; Maintenance management; Pavement maintenance
• Uncontrolled Terms: Maintenance costs
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00389093
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: IN/JHRP-79-23, HS-029 577
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 28 1984 12:00AM