BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering, Architecture & Fine Arts

Civil and Sanitary Engineering Department

CE 408
HIGHWAY AND RAILROAD ENGINEERING

Module: 4
Date: November 5, 2021

Section: CE-3107
Name: Michaela Jean R. Villavicencio
Student #: 19-02724

1. A tire load with an air pressure of 132.6 psi and weighing 15,000 lbs is in contact with a
flexible pavement that has the following properties:

Modulus of elasticity: 45,000 psi

Poisson ratio: 0.58

a. Calculate the stress at a depth of 4 in. and radial distance of 6 in. using Boussinesq
equation.
b. Calculate the vertical stress, radial stress, and deflection on the pavement surface
under the center of the load.
c. Calculate the vertical stress, radial stress, and deflection at a depth of 4.8 in and radial
distance of 7.2 in.
1.a. Using Boussinesq Equation
Given:
Air Pressure (ρ) = 132.6 psi
Weight (P) = 15 000 lbs
Modulus of Elasticity (E) = 45 000 psi
Poisson Ratio (µ) = 0.58
Depth (z) = 4 in
Radial Distance (r) = 6 in
Required:
Stress (σz)
Solution
By using the Boussinesq Equation
Solve for the value of Bearing Constant (K)

𝟑 𝟏
𝐊=( ) 𝟐.𝟓
𝟐𝝅 𝒓 𝟐
[𝟏 + (𝒛) ]
( )

𝟑 𝟏
𝐊=( ) 𝟐.𝟓
𝟐𝝅 𝟔𝒊𝒏 𝟐
[𝟏 + (𝟒𝒊𝒏) ]
( )

K = 0.02507454054
Slove for the value of stress (𝜎𝑧 )
𝑃
𝜎𝑧 = 𝐾
z2

σz = (0.02507454054)

σz = 23.50738176 lbs/in2

σz = 23.50738176 psi
1.b. Using Ahlvin-Eulery Equation
Given:
Air Pressure (ρ) = 132.6 psi
Weight (P) = 15 000 lbs
Modulus of Elasticity (E) = 45 000 psi
Poisson Ratio (µ) = 0.58
Depth (z) = 0 in
Radial Distance (r) = 0 in
Required:
Vertical stress (σz)
Radial stress (σr)
Deflection (∆z)
Solution
By using the Ahlvin-Eulery Equation
Solve for the value of Equivalent Load Radius (a)

P
a=
ρℼ

15 000 lbs
a= (132.6 psi)(ℼ)

a = 6.00065877

Solve for the value of Depth in Radii

𝒛 𝟎
𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ = = =𝟎
𝒂 𝟔
Solve for the Offset Distance in Radii

𝒓 𝟎
𝑂𝑓𝑓𝑠𝑒𝑡 = = =𝟎
𝒂 𝟔
Find the values of A, B, C, F, and H from the tables of Ahlvin-Eulery

Table 3.13 Function A

𝒛 𝒓
= 𝟎, = 𝟎, 𝑨 = 𝟏. 𝟎
𝒂 𝒂

Table 3.13 Function B

𝒛 𝒓
= 𝟎, = 𝟎, 𝑩=𝟎
𝒂 𝒂

Table 3.13 Function C

𝒛 𝒓
= 𝟎, = 𝟎, 𝑪=𝟎
𝒂 𝒂

Table 3.13 Function F

𝒛 𝒓
= 𝟎, = 𝟎, 𝑭 = 𝟎. 𝟓
𝒂 𝒂

Table 3.13 Function H

𝒛 𝒓
= 𝟎, = 𝟎, 𝑯 = 𝟐. 𝟎
𝒂 𝒂

Solve for the Vertical stress (σz)

σz = ρ (A + B)
σz = 132.6 psi(1.0 + 0)
σz = 132.6 psi

Solve for the Radial stress (σr)

σr = ρ [ 2µA + C + (1 - 2µ) F]
σr = 132.6 psi [2(0.58)(1.0) + (0) + (1 - 2(0.58)) 0.5]
σr = 143.208 psi
Solve for the Deflection (∆z)
ρa(1+µ)
∆z = zA + H (1 − µ)
E
132.6psi (6in)(1+0.58)
∆z = (0)(1.0) + 2 (1 −0.58)
45 000psi

∆z = 0.023464896 in
1.c. Using Ahlvin-Eulery Equation
Given:
Air Pressure (ρ) = 132.6 psi
Weight (P) = 15 000 lbs
Modulus of Elasticity (E) = 45 000 psi
Poisson Ratio (µ) = 0.58
Depth (z) = 4.8 in
Radial Distance (r) = 7.2 in
Required:
Vertical stress (σz)
Radial stress (σr)
Deflection (∆z)
Solution
By using the Ahlvin-Eulery Equation
Solve for the value of Equivalent Load Radius (a)

P
a= ρℼ

15 000 lbs
a= (132.6psi)(ℼ)

a = 6.00065877

Solve for the value of Depth in Radii

𝒛 𝟒. 𝟖
𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ = = = 𝟎. 𝟖
𝒂 𝟔

Solve for the Offset Distance in Radii

𝒓 𝟕.𝟐
𝑂𝑓𝑓𝑠𝑒𝑡 = 𝒂 = = 𝟏. 𝟐
𝟔
 Find the values of A, B, C, F, and H from the tables of Ahlvin-Eulery

Table 3.13 Function A

𝒛 𝒓
= 𝟎. 𝟖, = 𝟏. 𝟐, 𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟔𝟐𝟎𝟔
𝒂 𝒂

Table 3.13 Function B

𝒛 𝒓
= 𝟎. 𝟖, = 𝟏. 𝟐, 𝑩 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝟓𝟑𝟎
𝒂 𝒂

Table 3.13 Function C

𝒛 𝒓
= 𝟎. 𝟖, = 𝟏. 𝟐, 𝑪 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟓𝟖𝟐
𝒂 𝒂

Table 3.13 Function F

𝒛 𝒓
= 𝟎. 𝟖, = 𝟏. 𝟐, 𝑭 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟐𝟕𝟕
𝒂 𝒂

Table 3.13 Function H

𝒛 𝒓
= 𝟎. 𝟖, = 𝟏. 𝟐, 𝑯 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟖𝟖𝟎𝟗
𝒂 𝒂

Solve for the Vertical stress (σz)

σz = ρ (A + B)
σz = 132.6 psi(0.16206 + 0.07530)
σz = 31.473936 psi
Solve for the Radial stress (σr)
σr = ρ [ 2µA + C + (1 - 2µ) F]
σr = 132.6psi[2(0.58)(0.16206) + (0.03582) + (1 - 2(0.58)) 0.03277]
σr = 28.98190464 psi

Solve for the Deflection (∆z)

ρa(1+µ)
∆z = zA + H (1 − µ)
E
132.6psi (6in)(1+0.58)
∆z = 45 000psi
(4.8)(0.16206) + 0.68809(1 − 0.58)]

∆z = 0.02980281469in
2. A pavement is to be constructed on a subgrade with a reaction pressure of 210 pci.
Determine the maximum allowable weight that can be placed at the edge and at the
corner of the rigid pavement if the allowable stress is 250 psi and the allowable deflection
is 0.05 in. only.

Properties of the concrete pavement:

Thickness: 12 in.
Modulus of elasticity 4.5 x 106 psi
Poisson ratio: 0.18

Tire properties:
Tire pressure: 132.6 psi
If place at the corner, a1 is: 10 in

The district engineering office will only allow trucks and vehicles weighing 5 Tons (US
ton) to pass the road that has to be constructed. Do you agree with their decision? Why?

Given:
Modulus of Subgrade reaction (k) = 210 pci
Allowable Stress (σ) = 250 psi
Allowable Deflection (∆) = 0.05 in
Slab Thickness (h) = 12 in
Modulus of Elasticity (E) = 4.5 × 106 psi
Poisson Ratio (µ) = 0.18
Tire Pressure (ρ) = 132.6 psi
Point action distance (a1) = 10 in (at the corner)
Required:
Maximum allowable weight that can be placed
a. at the edge
b. at the corner
 Solution:
By using Westergaard Equation

Solve for the value of l

0.25
Eℎ3
12 K(1−µ2)
l=
0.25
(4.5 × 106 psi)(12 in)3
[ ]
(12)(210 pci)(1-182 )

l = 42.25858616 in
Solve for the value of Maximum Allowable weight at the corner
Using Edge Stress Equation

𝑃 𝐸ℎ3 𝑃
𝜎𝑒 = 0.529(1 + 0.54𝜇) ( 2 ) log 4 − 0.71 ; 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 = (√ )
ℎ 𝑃 𝜌𝜋
𝑘 (√𝜌𝜋)
[ ]

𝑃 (4.5 ∗ 106 𝑝𝑠𝑖)(12𝑖𝑛)3 𝑃

250 𝑝𝑠𝑖 = 0.529(1 + 0.54𝜇) ( ) log 4 − 0.71 ; 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 = (√ )
(12𝑖𝑛)2 𝑃 𝜌𝜋
(210 𝑝𝑐𝑖) (√132.6 𝑝𝑠𝑖 𝜋)
[ ]

P = 17 070.38836 lbs

Using Deflection Equation for Edge Loading (Case 2)

𝑃
∆= 2
𝑘𝑙 [0.408(1 + 0.4𝜇 )]
𝑃
0.05 𝑖𝑛 = [0.408(1 + 0.4(0.18))]
(210 𝑝𝑐𝑖 )(42.25858616𝑖𝑛)2

P = 42 871.065397633 lbs
 Solve for the value of Maximum Allowable weight at the edge
Using Corner Stress Equation

3𝑃 𝑎1 0.6
𝜎𝑐 = [1 − ( ) ]
ℎ2 𝑙
0.6
3𝑃 10𝑖𝑛
250 𝑝𝑠𝑖 = [1 − ( ) ]
(12𝑖𝑛)2 42.25858616𝑖𝑛

𝑷 = 𝟐𝟎 𝟕𝟑𝟏. 𝟐𝟓𝟑𝟎𝟒𝟓𝟔𝟑 𝒍𝒃𝒔

Using Deflection Equation for Corner Loading(Case 3)

𝑃 𝑎1
∆= [1.1 − 0.88( )
𝑘𝑙 2 𝑙
𝑃 10 𝑖𝑛
0.05 = 2
[1.1 − 0.88( )
(210 𝑝𝑐𝑖 )(42.25858616 𝑖𝑛) 42.25858616 𝑖𝑛

𝑷 = 𝟐𝟏 𝟎𝟐𝟔. 𝟕𝟒𝟓𝟗𝟏𝟐𝟑𝟖 𝒍𝒃𝒔

Solve for the Maximum Allowable Weight of Vehicles

0.0005 𝑈𝑆 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠
P = (17 070.38836 lbs) ( )
1 𝑙𝑏

P = 8.53519418 US tons
Conclusion

Only trucks and vehicles weighing less than 5 tons will be allowed to pass
according to the the district engineering office. The decision was made to avoid causing
harm to the road. As a result, I believe the district engineering office was reasonable in
allowing only trucks and vehicles with a maximum permitted weight of 5 tons or less. To
keep our roads safe, we must limit the number of big trucks on the road. The explanation
behind this choice is that the road will be unable to sustain bigger trucks, demanding the
use of a different route. When these large vehicles drive, they might damage the
pavement, which has a negative impact on everyone. Also, allowing larger cars may lead
to significant road wear and tear, resulting in higher maintenance expenses.
To conclude the given problem, based on the number obtained using the
Westergaard Equation, I think that using the Edge Stress Equation, which provides a
similar value of P = 17 070.38836 lbs, is possibly the safest permitted weight.