Evaluation of F-15E and C-17 Single Wheel Traffic on a Full-Scale Asphalt Concrete Test Section

This study evaluates the effects of operating cargo and fighter aircraft on representative thin asphalt concrete (AC) pavements. A full-scale AC test section was constructed at the Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, MS, that met the Department of Defense's (DoD) minimum AC thickness criteria. The test section was divided into 2 items; Item 1 was trafficked with a single C-17 wheel loaded to approximately 44,930 lb with 142 psi tire pressure, and Item 2 was trafficked with a single F-15E wheel loaded to approximately 35,235 lb with 325 psi tire pressure. Traffic was conducted in a normally distributed traffic pattern using a Heavy Vehicle Simulator. Immediate results from the trafficking showed that Item 1 failed with approximately 1 in. of rutting at about 2,500 passes, while Item 2 failed with approximately 1 in. of rutting at about 43,000 passes. A factor that contributed to the vast difference in the failure rates was the different seasons during which each item was trafficked. Additional results from the full-scale test section are also presented in this paper and include material characterization tests and data, rut depth measurements, centerline and cross section profiles, falling weight deflectometer data, instrumentation response data, and forensic investigation assessments.

• Corporate Authors:

  Centro de Estudios y Experimentación de Obras Públicas (CEDEX)

  Alfonso XII, 3
  Madrid,   Spain  28014
• Authors:
  • Bell, Haley P
• Conference:
  • APT '08. Third International Conference
  • Location: Madrid , Spain
  • Date: 2008-10-1 to 2008-10-3
• Publication Date: 2008

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 18p
• Monograph Title: Third International Conference on Accelerated Pavement Testing. APT 2008. Impacts and Benefits from APT Programs

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt concrete pavements; Cargo aircraft; Military aircraft; Pavement performance; Test tracks
• Uncontrolled Terms: Aircraft loads; Heavy vehicle simulators; Pavement testing
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01135963
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 28 2009 7:25AM