Open AccessThe Impact of Wide-Base Tires on Pavement—A National Study
Author(s) -
Imad L. AlQadi,
Jaime E. Hernández,
Angeli Jayme,
Mojtaba Ziyadi,
Erman Gungor,
Seung-gu Kang,
J. Harvey,
Rongzong Wu,
James A. Greene,
Bouzid Choubane,
Morris De Beer,
A. Scarpas
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.36501/0197-9191/21-035
Subject(s) - international roughness index , finite element method , life cycle assessment , greenhouse gas , energy consumption , cracking , engineering , structural engineering , computer science , environmental science , surface finish , mechanical engineering , materials science , geology , electrical engineering , production (economics) , economics , macroeconomics , oceanography , composite material
Researchers have been studying wide-base tires for over two decades, but no evidence has been provided regarding the net benefit of this tire technology. In this study, a comprehensive approach is used to compare new-generation wide-base tires (NG-WBT) with the dual-tire assembly (DTA). Numerical modeling, prediction methods, experimental measurements, and environmental impact assessment were combined to provide recommendations about the use of NG-WBT. A finite element approach, considering variables usually omitted in the conventional analysis of flexible pavement was utilized for modeling. Five hundred seventy-six cases combining layer thickness, material properties, tire load, tire inflation pressure, and pavement type (thick and thin) were analyzed to obtained critical pavement responses. A prediction tool, known as ICT-Wide, was developed based on artificial neural networks to obtain critical pavement responses in cases outside the finite element analysis matrix. The environmental impacts were determined using life cycle assessment. Based on the bottom-up fatigue cracking, permanent deformation, and international roughness index, the life cycle energy consumption, cost, and green-house gas (GHG) emissions were estimated. To make the outcome of this research effort useful for state departments of transportation and practitioners, a modification to AASHTOWare is proposed to account for NG-WBT. The revision is based on two adjustment factors, one accounting for the discrepancy between the AASHTOware approach and the finite element model of this study, and the other addressing the impact of NG-WBT.