Title: Assessment of the vertical load applied to the pavement on pothole events by a commercial truck

Authors: Pablo Kubo; Arthur Larocca; Joshua Dawson

Addresses: Volvo do Brasil Veículos Ltda., Av. Juscelino K. de Oliveira, 2600, Cidade Industrial, Curitiba – PR, 81280-140, Brazil ' Volvo Group Canada, Inc., 1000 Boulevard Industriel, Saint-Eustache, QC J7R 5A5, Canada ' Volvo Trucks North America, 7900 National Service Road, TC 1-36, Greensboro 27409, NC, USA

Abstract: Given the importance of the road transportation and its correct maintenance, the assessment of the real loads applied to the pavement proved to be a relevant subject. On the basis of an experimental methodology and a statistical analysis, this work quantified and evaluated the vertical loads applied to the pavement by the wheels of a commercial vehicle during pothole events. As a first experimental approach, the main objective of this study is to investigate the isolated influence of the vehicle's speed and the pothole's depth on the vertical load. The results suggested that the pothole's depth is a parameter that directly influences the vertical load, while the vehicle's speed is more likely to impact in the contrasts at low velocities. Although further studies are necessary, the obtained results emphasise the importance of considering the loads imposed by transient events (such as potholes) on the project of pavement roads and heavy vehicles.

Keywords: pothole; speed; pothole's depth; vertical load; pavement; roads; roadway; commercial vehicle; truck; suspension; damage.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2018.090999

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2018 Vol.25 No.2, pp.223 - 234

Received: 05 Jul 2016
Accepted: 29 Oct 2016
Published online: 06 Apr 2018 *

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