AXLE LOAD SURVEY

A sufficiently accurate estimate of the current traffic loading is essential for an

appropriate pavement design. Traffic volumes can be determined by traffic counts, but for
current vehicle loads, where no recent reliable data are available, the information can only be
obtained by an axle load survey. It is not sufficient to base designs on legal axle load limits
because of the wide spread problem of overloading and because of the unknown proportion
of vehicles that may be partially loaded.

An Axle Load survey is carried out to determine the axle load distribution of the
heavy vehicles using the road. These survey data are then used to calculate the mean number
of equivalent standard axles for a typical vehicle in each class. These values are then
combined with traffic flows and forecasts to determine the toatal predicted traffic loading that
the road will carry over its design lfe in terms of millions of equivalent standard axles (Msa).

If the flow of such vehicles is too high, a sample will need to be selected for
weighing. However, not all types of vehicle need to be weighed. This is because almost all of
the structural damage to a road pavement is caused by the heavy goods vehicles, medium
goods vehicles and large busses.

There are three Main ways of measuring axle loads , using:

1. A fixed weigh bridge;

2. Portable weigh pads;
3. Weigh-in- motion equipment.

The most common method of carrying out an axle load survey is to weigh a sample of
vehicles at the road side using portable weigh pads. Using this Method, it is possible to weigh
about sixty to hundred vehicles can be weighed per hour.

Hourly classified traffic count is conducted simultaneously, to estimate the maximum

hourly flow of heavy and medium goods vehicles for the site. This information can be used to
cross verify the sampling size and achieved sample size.

An axle load survey will also provide important information about the degree of
overloading. However it is important that the drivers of the overloaded vehicle are not
prosecuted during the survey. Any indication that this is likely to happen will cause the
drivers to alter their routes to avoid the survey and will lead to inaccurate data.

The main factors governing the design of Concrete pavements are; design period, design
commercial traffic volume, composition of commercial traffic in terms of single, tandem,
tridem and multi-axles, axle load spectrum, tyre pressures of commercial vehicles, lateral
placement characteristics of commercial vehicles, directional distribution of commercial
vehicles, composition and strength of foundation and climatic conditions.

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Axle Load Characteristics

Though the legal axle load limits in India are 10.2 tonnes (100KN), 19.0 tonnes (86KN)
and 24.0 tonnes (235KN) for single, tandem and tridem axles respectively, a large number of
axles operating on National highways carry much heavier loads than the legal limits. Data on
axle load spectrum of the commercial vehicles is required to estimate the repetitions of
single, tandem and tridem axles in each direction expected during the design period.
Minimum percentages of commercial vehicles to be weighed should be 10 % for volume of
commercial vehicles per day (CVPD) exceeding 6000, 15% for the CVPD 3000 to 6000 and
20 % for CVPD less than 3000.

Location of the Survey

The Thannisandra main Road is a major transport corridor being proposed for white
topping along the arterial paths by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

The Axle Load Survey is carried out at two locations in both the directions.

1. Location 1 – In front of Elements Mall (Both RHS and LHS)

The Survey was Carried out at Location 1 on 06th March 2020. The climate was recorded
as Hot and Dry with ambient temperature measuring max 35 ˚C.

Sample Size Obtained from the Survey

Commercial Obtained Obtained Required

Sl
Chainage Direction Traffic Sample Sample Sample Size as
No
(CVPD) Size Size in % per IRC 58
In front Towards
of Begur
1 1833 442 24.11% 20.00%
Elements Main
Mal Road
In front
Towards
of 1788
2 Nagawara 422 23.60% 20.00%
Elements
Junction
Mal

Page | 2
 Classified Traffic Count At Elements Mall Towards Nagawara Junction

Towards Nagawara Junction'

2- 3- MAV Tractor
Mini Mini School Govt. Pvt. Total
Time LCV Axle Axle 4TO6 HCM-EME +
LCV Bus Bus Bus Bus CVPD
Truck Truck AXLE Trailer
10:00 to 11:00 97 38 5 1 3 6 42 2 185
11:00 to 12:00 62 16 20 2 1 4 28 1 129
12:00 to 13:00 75 20 21 1 10 2 13 40 5 162
13:00 to 14:00 44 18 19 1 7 5 3 36 3 120
14:00 to 15:00 24 10 6 3 8 4 2 28 1 72
15:00 to 16:00 67 13 8 5 15 2 29 38 1 132
16:00 to 17:00 59 10 25 3 3 7 33 36 1 134
17:00 to 18:00 34 9 15 1 7 9 6 36 13 108
18:00 to 19:00 41 12 9 2 1 3 8 1 36 6 106
19:00 to 20:00 40 8 4 1 1 6 1 1 31 5 89
20:00 to 21:00 34 6 7 1 4 3 21 4 73
21:00 to 22:00 18 3 1 3 1 2 1 8 33
22:00 to 23:00 9 5 2 1 2 8 1 25
23:00 to 0:00 8 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 2 17
0:00 to 1:00 5 4 1 10 2 1 0 22
1:00 to 2:00 5 1 9 15
2:00 to 3:00 60 20 14 8 1 94
3:00 to 4:00 1 1 1 1 1 4
4:00 to 5:00 14 5 9 1 5 4 4 32
5:00 to 6:00 22 8 5 1 1 4 3 12 1 49
6:00 to 7:00 21 14 8 4 5 8 3 17 4 68
7:00 to 8:00 26 12 4 1 1 2 21 8 26 69
8:00 to 9:00 16 9 2 4 8 12 19 1 47
9:00 to 10:00 17 7 2 1 5 5 4 22 48
Total 799 250 179 57 7 7 97 104 128 489 52 1833

Page | 3
 Classified Traffic Count At Elements Mall Towards Begur Main Road

Towards Begur Main Road

2- 3- Tractor
Mini Mini School Govt. Pvt. Total
Time LCV Axle Axle HCM-EME +
LCV Bus Bus Bus Bus CVPD
Truck Truck Trailer
10:00 to 11:00 83 24 26 2 2 3 6 41 2 178
11:00 to 12:00 68 14 25 5 1 2 5 28 1 141
12:00 to 13:00 13 7 10 1 0 9 39 4 73
13:00 to 14:00 38 5 10 2 14 7 7 35 7 95
14:00 to 15:00 76 17 6 1 10 6 5 29 4 133
15:00 to 16:00 40 22 12 2 10 6 23 39 2 117
16:00 to 17:00 38 13 5 17 15 38 37 2 95
17:00 to 18:00 51 20 1 1 8 23 12 37 1 110
18:00 to 19:00 46 14 1 1 1 11 14 5 35 3 100
19:00 to 20:00 44 14 8 8 30 1 89
20:00 to 21:00 41 13 1 1 2 1 5 11 20 13 91
21:00 to 22:00 34 2 2 1 2 6 1 8 1 47
22:00 to 23:00 23 1 7 3 1 3 6 2 8 4 46
23:00 to 0:00 32 4 7 8 4 6 1 1 53
0:00 to 1:00 17 2 3 11 1 1 1 8 0 1 35
1:00 to 2:00 7 1 6 4 2 7 0 20
2:00 to 3:00 1 1 3 11 2 2 0 18
3:00 to 4:00 1 3 1 0 1 6
4:00 to 5:00 9 7 13 7 1 7 4 4 41
5:00 to 6:00 18 1 7 1 7 3 1 3 11 1 46
6:00 to 7:00 26 18 5 1 1 1 1 18 1 69
7:00 to 8:00 35 13 9 3 3 5 3 32 26 89
8:00 to 9:00 16 7 3 1 0 2 1 5 18 1 46
9:00 to 10:00 19 5 2 1 4 2 6 23 50
Total 775 226 162 66 21 11 116 142 160 487 51 1788

Page | 4
 Axle Load Spectrum: At Elements Mall Towards Nagawara Junction

1. Front Single Axle Single Wheel

Front Single Axle

Load Group (kN) Mid-Point of Load Group (kN) Frequency (%)

105-115 110 0.23

95-105 100 0.45
85-95 90 0.90
75-85 80 1.36
65-75 70 2.49
55-65 60 14.93
45-55 50 22.62
35-45 40 11.99
<35 30 45.02

2. Rear Single Axle Dual Wheel

Rear Single Axle Dual Wheel

Mid-Point of Load Group
Load Group (kN) Frequency (%)
(kN)
125-135 130 0.44
115-125 120 1.75
105-115 110 0.87
95-105 100 2.62
85-95 90 2.18
75-85 80 16.16
65-75 70 28.38
55-65 60 20.09
45-55 50 10.48
35-45 40 5.68
<35 30 11.35

Page | 5
3. Rear Tandem Axle Dual Wheel

Rear Tandem Axle

Load Group (kN) Mid-Point of Load Group (kN) Frequency (%)

340 - 360 350 6.06

320 - 340 330 12.12
260 - 280 270 15.15
240 - 260 250 6.06
220 - 240 230 6.06
200 - 220 210 3.03
180 - 200 190 3.03
140 - 160 150 9.09
120 - 140 130 3.03
100 -120 110 9.09
80 - 100 90 24.24
<80 70 3.03

4. Rear Tridem Axle Dual Wheel

Rear Tridem Axle

Load Group (kN) Mid-Point of Load Group (kN) Frequency (%)

410-440 425 100

Page | 6
 Axle Load Spectrum: At Elements Mall Towards Begur Main Road

1. Front Single Axle Single Wheel

Front Single Axle

Load Group (kN) Mid-Point of Load Group (kN) Frequency (%)

125-135 130 0.24

85-95 90 0.24
75-85 80 0.71
65-75 70 3.08
55-65 60 11.61
45-55 50 15.40
35-45 40 15.88
<35 30 52.84

2. Rear Single Axle Dual Wheel

Rear Single Axle Dual Wheel

Load Group (kN) Mid-Point of Load Group (kN) Frequency (%)

155-165 160 0.44

145-155 150 1.31
135-145 140 2.18
125-135 130 1.31
115-125 120 0.87
105-115 110 1.75
95-105 100 2.62
85-95 90 4.37
75-85 80 4.37
65-75 70 19.21
55-65 60 15.28
45-55 50 14.41
35-45 40 16.59
<35 30 15.28

Page | 7
3. Rear Tandem Axle Dual Wheel

Rear Tandem Axle

Load Group (kN) Mid-Point of Load Group (kN) Frequency (%)

300 - 320 310 5.26

220 - 240 230 15.79
200 - 220 210 5.26
180 - 200 190 26.32
160 - 180 170 5.26
120 - 140 130 5.26
100 -120 110 5.26
80 - 100 90 26.32
<80 70 5.26

Page | 8
Mr. Mohan M M.E (Highways), M.I.R.C
Managing Director (Technical).

HA/Testing/2019-20/149B Date: 17-03-2020.

To,
M/s Alcon Consulting Engineers India Private,
Basaveshwaranagar, Bangalore
GSTIN: 29AAFCA0506P1ZJ
Tax Invoice
Sub: Conducting Axle Load Survey on Thannisandra Main Road in front of
Elements mall.

Sl No Name of Work Amount (in INR)

Conducting Axle Load Survey on Thannisandra Main Road in
1 30,000.00
front of Elements mall.
Total 30,000.00
SGST tax @ 9.00% 2,700.00
CGST tax @ 9.00% 2,700.00
`Total Amount 35,400.00
(Rupees Thirty Five Thousand Four Hundred Only)
GST No: 29AAHFH3118H1ZF , PAN NO: AAHFH3118H
1. The amount may be payable in the form of DD / local cheque /RTGS/NEFT in favor of M/s Hencon Associates.
2. Details of RTGS/NEFT
Account Number: 33046870433
Account Name: Hencon Associates
Bank / Branch State bank of India/ Girinagar Branch
Ifsc Code SBIN0016222

Thanking you
Mr. Mohan M M.E (Highways), M.I.R.C
Managing Director (Technical).

HA/Testing/2019-20/149B Date: 17-03-2020.

To,
M/s Alcon Consulting Engineers India Private,
Basaveshwaranagar, Bangalore
GSTIN: 29AAFCA0506P1ZJ
Tax Invoice
Sub: Conducting Axle Load Survey on Thannisandra Main Road in front of
Elements mall.

Sl No Name of Work Amount (in INR)

Conducting Axle Load Survey on Thannisandra Main Road in
1 30,000.00
front of Elements mall.
Total 30,000.00
SGST tax @ 9.00% 2,700.00
CGST tax @ 9.00% 2,700.00
`Total Amount 35,400.00
(Rupees Thirty Five Thousand Four Hundred Only)
GST No: 29AAHFH3118H1ZF , PAN NO: AAHFH3118H
1. The amount may be payable in the form of DD / local cheque /RTGS/NEFT in favor of M/s Hencon Associates.
2. Details of RTGS/NEFT
Account Number: 33046870433
Account Name: Hencon Associates
Bank / Branch State bank of India/ Girinagar Branch
Ifsc Code SBIN0016222

Thanking you