Lesson 1/Learning Event 3
Learning Event 3
DESIGN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ROADS
Introduction
The areas in the Theater of Operations needing paved roads to support the operational requirements can
be broken down into four general categories:
division support areas
corps support areas
Army areas
CommZ communication zone.
In each case, the acceptable and more accurate design method consists of estimating the number of
operations each type of vehicle is expected to use on the proposed road during its design life. In this
Learning Event, you will learn how to determine the traffic composition and convert it to equivalent
18,000 pound operations.
Design Method
The design of a flexible pavement to be used as a military road in a Theater of Operations consists of:
Estimating the number of operations for each type of vehicle that is expected to use the proposed
road during its design life. This may be based on knowledge of traffic using similar use roads or
on anticipated traffic. It must be borne in mind that the greatest influence on thickness design is
the type and number of operations of very heavy vehicles. This will be made clear later in an
example.
Estimating how long a period of time the proposed road will be needed. This is called the
"design life."
Converting the operations of each type of vehicle into equivalent 18,000 pound, single-axle,
dual-wheel load operations through the use of equivalent operations factors shown in Figures 6
and 7.
Computing cover requirement from the equivalent operations in the design life from Figure 8.
Statement of Requirement. A main supply route is to be designed for a 2-year design life on a
subgrade with a CBR value of 10. The road is to be an all weather road and materials and equipment are
available to construct an asphalt concrete surface. Ample quantity of base course material with a CBR
of 50 is available. In addition, a pit has been located adjacent to the road site that will furnish material
for subbase with a CBR value of 40.
Anticipated Traffic. From a study of previous main supply routes in the same general area, the
following estimation of anticipated traffic is made:
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