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L L L L L W W: Flexible Pavement ESAL Equation

The document describes the flexible pavement ESAL (equivalent single-axle load) equation, which is used to calculate the number of load applications from different axle configurations. It provides an example calculation for a single axle of 30,000 lbs and for a tandem axle of 40,000 lbs. The equation considers factors such as axle load, structural number of the pavement, and serviceability loss over time. It allows engineers to determine the load equivalency factor to equate different axle loads and configurations to a standard 18,000 lb single axle load.

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جميل عبد الله الحماطي
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28 views3 pages

L L L L L W W: Flexible Pavement ESAL Equation

The document describes the flexible pavement ESAL (equivalent single-axle load) equation, which is used to calculate the number of load applications from different axle configurations. It provides an example calculation for a single axle of 30,000 lbs and for a tandem axle of 40,000 lbs. The equation considers factors such as axle load, structural number of the pavement, and serviceability loss over time. It allows engineers to determine the load equivalency factor to equate different axle loads and configurations to a standard 18,000 lb single axle load.

Uploaded by

جميل عبد الله الحماطي
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Flexible Pavement ESAL Equation Page 1 of 3

Flexible Pavement ESAL Equation


At first glance, this equation looks quite complex - it is.

4.79 ⎡ G βx ⎤
Wx ⎡ L18 + L2 s ⎤ ⎢ 10 ⎥[L2 x ]4.33
=⎢ ⎥
W18 ⎣ Lx + L2 x ⎦ ⎢10 β18 ⎥
G

⎣ ⎦

Where: W = axle applications inverse of equivalency factors (where W18 = number of 18,000 lb
(80 kN) single axle loads)

Lx = axle load being evaluated (kips)

L18 = 18 (standard axle load in kips)

L2 = code for axle configuration

1 = single axle
2 = tandem axle
3 = triple axle (added in the 1986 AASHTO Guide)
x = axle load equivalency factor being evaluated
s = code for standard axle = 1 (single axle)

⎛ 4.2 − pt ⎞ a function of the ratio of loss in serviceability at time,


G = log⎜ ⎟ t, to the potential loss taken at a point where pt = 1.5
⎝ 4.2 − 1.5 ⎠

pt = "terminal" serviceability index (point at which the pavement is considered to be at


the end of its useful life)

function which determines the relationship between


⎛ 0.081( L x + L2 x ) 3.23 ⎞ serviceability and axle load applications
β = 0.4 + ⎜⎜ 3.23 ⎟
⎟
⎝ ( SN + 1) L2 x
5.19
⎠
SN = structural number

Example Calculation for a Single Axle


z Assumptions: Single axle, 30,000 lb (133 kN), SN = 3, pt = 2.5

z Answer: (Table D.4, p. D-6, 1993 AASHTO Guide) = 7.9

z Calculations

4.79 ⎡ G β 30 ⎤
W30 ⎡ 18 + 1 ⎤ ⎢10G ⎥[L2 x ]4.33
=⎢ ⎥
W18 ⎣ L30 + L2 x ⎦ ⎢10 β18 ⎥
⎣ ⎦

http://training.ce.washington.edu/WSDOT/Modules/04_design_parameters/flexible_esal.... 10/14/2010
Flexible Pavement ESAL Equation Page 2 of 3

where : W18 = predicted number of 18,000 lb (80 kN) single axle load applications,
W30 = predicted number of 30,000 lb (133 kN) single axle load applications,
Lx = L30 = 30
L2x = 1 (single axle)

G = serviceability loss factor

⎛ 4 .2 − 2 .5 ⎞
= log⎜ ⎟ = −0.2009
⎝ 4 .2 − 1 .5 ⎠
β30 = curve slope factor

⎛ 0.081(30 + 1) 3.23 ⎞
= 0 .4 + ⎜⎜ 3.23 ⎟
⎟ = 4.388
⎝ (3 + 1) (1)
5.19
⎠
and G/β30 = -0.2009/4.388 = -0.04578

⎛ 0.081(18 + 1) 3.23 ⎞
β18 = 0.4 + ⎜⎜ 3.23 ⎟
⎟ = 1.2204
⎝ (3 + 1) (1)
5.19
⎠
G/β18 = -0.2009/1.2204 = -0.1646

W30 ⎡ 18 + 1 ⎤ ⎡10 −0.04578 ⎤ 4.33


4.79

Thus, = ⎢ −0.1646 ⎥[1] = 0.1260


W18 ⎢⎣ 30 + 1⎥⎦ ⎣ 10 ⎦
W30
and ≅ 12.6% of W18 loads allowable with a 30,000 lb. single axle
W18

1
Finally, LEF = = 7.9365 ≅ 7.9
0.1260
(same as contained in 1993 AASHTO Guide — Appendix D)

Example Calculation for a Tandem Axle


z Assumptions: Tandem axle, 40,000 lb (133 kN), SN = 5, pt = 2.5

z Answer: (Table D.5, p. D-7, 1993 AASHTO Guide) = 2.08

z Calculations

W40 ⎡ L18 + L2 s ⎤
4.79 ⎡ G β 40 ⎤
=⎢ ⎥ ⎢10 ⎥[L2 x ]4.33
W18 s ⎣ L40 + L2 x ⎦ ⎢ G β18 ⎥
⎣10 ⎦

where : L40 = 40 (tandem axle)


L18 = 18 (single axle)
L2x = 2 (tandem axle)
L2s = 1 (single axle)

G = serviceability loss factor

http://training.ce.washington.edu/WSDOT/Modules/04_design_parameters/flexible_esal.... 10/14/2010
Flexible Pavement ESAL Equation Page 3 of 3

⎛ 4 .2 − 2 .5 ⎞
= log⎜ ⎟ = −0.2009
⎝ 4 .2 − 1 .5 ⎠
β40 = curve slope factor

⎛ 0.081(40 + 2) 3.23 ⎞
= 0.4 + ⎜⎜ 3.23 ⎟
⎟ = 0.53824
⎝ (5 + 1) (2)
5.19
⎠
and G/β40 = -0.2009/0.53824 = -0.37325

⎛ 0.081(18 + 1) 3.23 ⎞
β18 = 0.4 + ⎜⎜ 3.23 ⎟
⎟ = 0.50006
⎝ (5 + 1) (1)
5.19
⎠
G/β18 = -0.2009/0.50006 = -0.40175

W40 ⎡ 18 + 1 ⎤ ⎡ 10 −0.37325 ⎤ 4.33


4.79

Thus, = ⎢ ⎥[2] = 0.48064


W18 ⎢⎣ 40 + 2 ⎥⎦ ⎣10 − 0.40175 ⎦
1
Finally, LEF = = 2.08
0.48064
(same as contained in 1993 AASHTO Guide — Appendix D)

http://training.ce.washington.edu/WSDOT/Modules/04_design_parameters/flexible_esal.... 10/14/2010

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