Linear Tracking Response Measurements: Determining Effects of Wheel-Load Configurations
The relative strain effects of 15 different load configurations were studied. Using the linear tracking device (LINTRACK) accelerated loading facility, two 5-year-old pavements of 0.15-m asphalt on sand (one virgin and one loaded with 4 million 75-kN wheel loads) were tested. All measured strains were converted to strain factors relative to a standard load (super-single tire, 50 kN, 0.70 MPa). The results were compared with earlier measurements and BISAR-calculated factors. The results on the loaded pavement showed markedly more variation than those on the unloaded pavement. Generally, the BISAR-calculated relative strain factors matched the measured values well for the super-single tire. Considerable difference occurred only in the most extreme load conditions. Nonuniform contact stress distribution can be the cause for this. The calculated relative strain factors for the dual tire configurations underestimated the measured values.