Mechanical Analysis on the Lateral Action of Vehicle Loads on Circular Road Curves

Under the action of centrifugal force, when a vehicle runs on a road curve, the wheels of the vehicle usually produce lateral forces that act on the pavement. However, the prevailing design standards on asphalt pavement have not taken into consideration the influence of the lateral forces. Through lots of engineering practice, it is found that, under the action of vehicle load, the pavement is often more easily subject to pavement diseases in road curves than in straight sections. Focusing on circular road curves, this paper studies the lateral forces acting on the pavement, and puts forward the calculation formula of the lateral forces caused by centrifugal force. On the above basis, the design speed of vehicles is calculated, and the range of the lateral forces produced by the wheels acting on the pavement is given. The research results of the paper are of important guidance to the selection of load effect during the road design process.