Development of Laboratory Testing Facility for Evaluation of Base-Soil Behavior under Repreated Loading: Phase 1: Feasibility Study

Accelerated load testing of paved and unpaved roads is the application of a large number of load repetitions in a short period of time. This type of testing is an economic way to determine the behavior of roads and compare different materials, structures, and construction alternatives for the design of highways under a large number of load applications. Currently, numerous accelerated pavement testing (APT) facilities are being used worldwide. Heavy vehicle simulators (HVS) and the cyclic load actuators are the most commonly used facilities. Smaller scale model-testing facilities are also available. This report presents a feasibility and cost-efficiency study for different accelerated load facilities to determine the most useful facility for conducting comparative studies and preliminary investigations on paved/unpaved roads along with the Accelerated Load Facility (ALF) at the Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC). Heavy vehicle simulators (wheel beam assembly), cyclic load actuators, and the Model Mobile Load Simulator (MMLS) were reviewed and compared based on the literature findings, personal communication with researchers, and coordinating site visits to selected facilities. The comparisons included the applications, advantages, limitations, and costs of each of the three alternative facilities. Based on the feasibility study, the MMLS was excluded due to its limited influence depth reasoned by the wheel size and wheel load. The HVS and the cyclic load actuators were found to be more useful for base, subbase, and subgrade related studies. Due to various applications, and based on the inherent advantages of both facilities (speed and cost), the cyclic load actuator facility has been recommended for research purposes at the LTRC. This facility can be used for wide range of research related to asphalt concrete layers, base course layers, subgrade layers, and the reinforcement layers. Its compact size and speed of testing will allow for more preliminary investigations prior to ALF testing.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/pdf/2008/fr_396.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Louisiana Transportation Research Center

  4101 Gourrier Avenue
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70808

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Abu-Farsakh, Murad Yusuf
  • Almohd, Izzaldin
• Publication Date: 2005-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 74p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accelerated tests; Base course (Pavements); Cost effectiveness; Costs; Feasibility analysis; Pavements; Repeated loads; Subbase (Pavements); Subgrade (Pavements)
• Identifier Terms: Louisiana Accelerated Loading Facility
• Uncontrolled Terms: Accelerated loading facilities; Heavy vehicle simulators; Model mobile load simulators
• Subject Areas: Design; Finance; Geotechnology; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01104032
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/LA.04/396
• Contract Numbers: 02-04GT
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 10 2008 4:24PM