PAVEMENT DAMAGE FACTORS DURING SPRING THAW IN ALASKA

It is generally accepted that the damage accumulated in pavement structures due to applied loads varies in a non-linear fashion with applied load level. Typically an exponential relationship is assumed, with "rule of thumb" applications usually involving a power of four. In such a case, doubling the applied load from some standard load results in sixteen times as much damage as would be caused by the standard load. The exponent developed from AASHTO road test data is 4.79, and this has been used for most Alaskan applications. In Alaska, however, as in other areas where pavement freezing occurs during winter, a question arises regarding damage levels that accumulate during the spring thaw period. Simple observation has made it obvious that pavement damage accumulates extremely reapidly during spring thaw conditions. Alaska DOT&PF routinely monitors pavement surface deflections during spring thaw and applies load restrictions when these deflections indicate that excessive damage is likely to accumulate. This paper describes some of the deflection data collected and the analysis procedures employed in developing damage factors for asphalt concrete (AC) and subgrade (SG) on these selected sections. In particular, the relationship between load ratio and relative damage factor is investigated.

• Record URL:
  http://www.dot.state.ak.us/stwddes/research/assets/pdf/fhwa_ak_rd_90_13.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Minnesota Department of Transportation

  395 John Ireland Boulevard
  St Paul, MN  United States  55155
• Authors:
  • Coetzee, N F
  • Connor, B
• Conference:
  • 4th International Conference, Bearing Capacity of Roads and Airfields
  • Location: Minneapolis, MN
  • Date: 1994-8-17 to 1994-8-21
• Publication Date: 1994

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 647-660
• Serial:
  • Volume: 1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Asphalt concrete; Data collection; Defects; Deflection; Exponential functions; Freezing; Load limits; Monitoring; Nonlinear systems; Pavements; Procedures; Spring; Subgrade (Pavements); Surfaces; Thaw
• Uncontrolled Terms: Pavement damage; Spring thaw
• Geographic Terms: Alaska
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00730081
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Nov 27 1997 12:00AM