GEOTRAN - Model APT -Accelerated Pavement Testing Machine
GEOTRAN Accelerated pavement testing (APT) refers to “the controlled application of a prototype wheel loading, at or above the appropriate legal load limit to a prototype or actual, layered, structural pavement system to determine pavement response and performance under a controlled, accelerated accumulation of damage in a compressed time period. The information is highly beneficial in all aspects of pavement engineering. APT aims to evaluate pavement sections under a range of loading and environmental conditions to improve the knowledge of the potential performance of the pavement layers and structure under a full range of operational conditions. It is for this reason, the simulation is made for varying magnitudes of wheel loads, directional traffic and transverse shifts (wandering) and the pavement response are studied.
- Controlled loading of a pavement
- Acceleration by:
- Frequency of passes
- Increased axle loads
- Time based
- Monitor Dynamic behaviour of pavement
- Advance information on pavement performance
- Evaluation of New designs, specifications, mixes and materials
- Studies for anticipated traffic conditions
- Greater control over uniformity and quality of construction because of small size of test sections
- Control over environmental factors such as pavement temperature and subgrade moisture
Simulated field conditions - Economical and ready to use technical solutions
- Substantial savings with improvements in pavement design procedures and maintenance practices
- Well targeted pavement research programme
- Knowledge gained from APTF affects decision of road authorities
- Determination of magnitude and timing of asset establishment and preservation costs