Case Studies for Risk Assessment of Superheavy Load Movements on Flexible Pavements using SuperPACK

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the evaluation of Superheavy Load (SHL) movements on flexible pavements using the SuperPACK software, an analysis tool developed at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). SHL vehicles, characterized by their low travel speeds, extreme gross weights, and unique configurations, pose significant challenges to pavement integrity and safety. This research employs a paper-based format comprising three distinct case studies, each addressing key aspects of SHL impacts: the analysis of unbound layer shear failure under heavy aircraft loading, the identification of critical pavement sections using deflection metrics, and the utilization of traffic speed deflectometer (TSD) measurments for identifying and characterizing critical pavement locations that are most susceptible to failure under the imposed load of an SHL vehicle. These Pilot case studies illustrate the SuperPACK methodology's application while highlighting its computational efficiency and practical value. Through rigorous data analysis and mechanistic modeling, this work contributes to enhancing infrastructure resilience, advancing mechanistic pavement evaluation techniques, and supporting the adoption of risk-based permit processes for SHL vehicle moves