Aashto's load equivalence factors are evaluated with the aid of a computational model for predicting flexible pavement response. First, the vesys 5 computer program was verified to assure that it could be used to conduct computer road tests. Following this, damage produced by steering axles at the aasho road test was evaluated in an effort to quantify the error in the aashto equivalence factors, because steering axles were neglected in the development of these equivalencies. Next, the computer model was used in the conduct of computerroad tests with the goal of developing equivalence factors for conditions not present at the aasho road test site. Finally, exponentialrelationships relating pavement deflections and strains to load equivalencies based on cracking and rutting were developed. This paper appears in transportation research record no. 1286, Design and evaluation of rigid and flexible pavements 1990.
Abstract