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Sponsored by ASCE Continuing Education and the Transportation and Development Institute (T&DI).

INSTRUCTOR: David K. Hein, P.E.

Course Length:  1 hour

Purpose and Background

With continuous development and expansion of industrial plants in rural areas, the movement of SuperHeavy loads, particularly in the chemical, oils, electrical and defense business areas, has become a necessity. The definition of a SuperHeavy load varies from agency to agency ranging from anything above the legal gross vehicle load to millions of pounds. The transport vehicles for SuperHeavy loads require specially configured trailers and tow/push vehicles typically involving hundreds of tires with non-standard loading and spacing. 

While the movement of SuperHeavy loads may be necessary to the local economy, the impact of the loading on the transportation infrastructure may be significant. Overloading of the pavement may cause significant vertical pavement deformation, causing surface cracking and both localized and global shear failure. Shear failure of the pavement may result in damage to underground utilities and drainage features such as culverts and subdrains. Limits on bridge loading may result in the need to by-pass or shore structures to accommodate the load. Global shear failure can also be catastrophic in causing shifts in the load resulting in damage to the equipment. 

This webinar provides some background on the types and configurations of SuperHeavy loads, and their potential impact on transportation infrastructure. It discusses methods to assess the impact, including in-situ pavement material characterization, impact of climate and operational speed of the vehicles and trailers, potential for shear failure, damage to underground utilities, and pavement distress.

Primary Discussion Topics

• Overview of pavement types and surfaces
• Impact of water on pavement surface/base/subbase/subgrade
• Methods to measure pavement surface friction
• Methods to measure permeability
• Methods to improve pavement surface friction
• Methods to reduce pavement permeability
• Quality assurance/control
• Key features to ensure pavement longevity
• Recognize key design and construction features that impact performance

Learning Outcomes

• Explore the definition of SuperHeavy
• Discuss vehicle configuration for transporting SuperHeavy loads
• Recognize what outcomes result from overloading pavement

Webinar Benefits

• Recognize the potential impact of the movement of SuperHeavy loads
• Identify field and laboratory testing methods for pavement characterization
• Be aware of potential damage modes to pavement, utilities and structures
• Understand risks associated with SuperHeavy load moves
• Discuss the differences in how permeability is measured for pavement materials and subgrades

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-assessment (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).

Intended Audience

• Civil engineers responsible for the design, construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of pavements, drainage features, underground utilities and structures
• Agencies and other owners of highway, municipal and private sector pavement infrastructure
• Large equipment manufacturers and owners

Webinar Outline

• Background and overview of SuperHeavy loads
• Overview of pavement types and surfaces
• Asphalt concrete
• Concrete
• Gap/Open graded
• Surface/chip seal
• Gravel
• Analysis methodologies
• Characterization of bound and unbound materials
• Transport vehicle configuration
• Transport route characterization
• Pavement modelling
• Impact on pavement surface
• Impact on unbound layers and subgrade
• Potential for global and local shear failure
• Potential impact on underground utilities
• Potential impact on structures
• Impact of climate and vehicle speed

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion

To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 1 year of purchasing the course.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]