EFFECT OF HIGH TIRE PRESSURES ON CONCRETE PAVEMENT PERFORMANCE. PROCEEDINGS, 4TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCRETE PAVEMENT DESIGN AND REHABILITATION, PURDUE UNIVERSITY, APRIL 18-20, 1989

In recent years, serious pavement damage on major highways throughout the United States and Canada has been attributed to the increased use of trucks equipped with radial tires and high tire pressures. For asphalt pavements, comprehensive research programs are being launched by several agencies to study these effects and to develop improved mixes and materials. The purpose of this study conducted by the Construction Technology Laboratories, Inc., for the Portland Cement Association, is to determine for concrete pavements, how high tire pressures affect pavement response, service life, and performance characteristics. Field testing at six separate sites in the States of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania were conducted to determine the effects of higher pressure. The pavement sections were loaded by single axle and tandem axle load trucks with incremental tire pressures ranging from 80 up to 120 psi. Pavement strains and deflections due to moving loads were measured for trucks placed at different positions on the pavement. Based on field test data and theoretical data developed using the computer program JSLAB, there is no significant effect on concrete pavement reponse due to increased tire pressure.