ISSN: 1945-7553
CODEN: JTEVAB
Published Online: 15 November 2010
Page Count: 11

Simulation of Obstacles in a Longitudinal Road Profile Based on the Weibull Distribution

Múčka, Peter
Research Worker, Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava 3,

Kropáč, Oldřich
Scientific Consultant, Prague 8,

(Received 26 January 2010; accepted 8 October 2010)

Abstract

This paper solves the question of the generation of a longitudinal road profile with randomly distributed local obstacles. For the simulation of local road obstacles, three dimensions are necessary: The length, the maximum height/depth, and the distance between neighboring obstacles. For the specification of these dimensions, results from processing the Long Term Pavement Performance program were used. Obstacles were identified from the measured roads by median filtering. Probability density functions of obstacle dimensions were fitted using Weibull distribution functions. Distinctions between asphalt concrete and Portland cement concrete surfaces and between bumps and potholes were considered. A proposed profile simulation procedure is described in detail. The applicability of the procedure was demonstrated using a series of simulated road profiles. The procedure allows the specification of all relevant road surface parameters according to the requirements of the user.

Keywords:
longitudinal road profile, median filter, obstacle, bump, pothole, probability density function (PDF), road generator, power spectral density (PSD), long term pavement performance (LTPP) program

Paper ID: JTE102993
DOI: 10.1520/JTE102993
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