THE EFFECT OF AXLE LOAD LIMIT ON THE PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE COST

Based on the statistic data and prediction data of the vehicles in China, the axle load distribution models of four axle limits are developed. Then according to pavement types and axle load distributions of different axle load limits, the pavement life is calculated. In the case of the main highway's (national and provincial highway) mileage, grades, psat years, pavement types and maintenance approaches in China, the annual naintenance cost of defferent axle load limits is estimated. The results show that the axle load limit affects the pavement maintenance cost greatly, especially, when axle load limit reaches 13 ton, the annual pavement maintenance cost will increase greatly. And , the bigger the axle load limit becomes, the more sensitive the enforcement level will be to pavement maintenance cost.