Implementation of a Strain-Based Policy for Managing Weight Restrictions during the Spring

Abstract

A strain-based concept for managing spring weight restrictions (SWRs) on load levels and duration for low-volume roads was developed and applied to a low-volume road in Manitoba, Canada. Local fatigue and rutting damage models were used to predict limiting failure strains during the spring. The limiting failure strains were compared with predicted strains at SWR loads during the spring. On the basis of the results, the strain-based concept can be used to manage SWR load levels and the duration of SWR during the spring. Analysis of limiting failure strain should be applied to other pavements to verify the findings. For the strain-based concept to be practical, use of the Minnesota thawing index procedure based on climatic data is recommended for estimating the start of the SWR period.