TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................ i
LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ i
ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................................. ii
1.0 LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................................... 3
2.0 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE ......................................................................................................... 4
3.0 SCOPE OF THE RESEARCH ................................................................................................... 4
4.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH ........................................................................ 4
5.0 EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES ................................................................................................ 4
6.0 RESEARCH TEAM ................................................................................................................ 5
7.0 TIME SCHEDULE ................................................................................................................. 5
8.0 BUDGET ............................................................................................................................ 5
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 6
ANNEXES ................................................................................................................................ 7
ANNEX I: PROPOSED RESEARCH TIME SCHEDULE .................................................................... 8
ANNEX II: PROPOSED RESEARCH WORKPLAN ......................................................................... 9

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.0: Equipment required in the research. ......................................................................... 4
Table 2.0: Research personnel .............................................................................................. 5
Table 3.0: Research budget.................................................................................................. 5

Research on Super Single Tyres

ABSTRACT
Due to their efficiency and economy, super single tyres are gradually replacing conventional dual tyres in
the trucking industry. According to recent studies, super single tyres generate much higher vertical contact
stresses than do conventional dual tyres, resulting in larger deformations and more severe damage to the
pavement.
In this research, the effects of super single tyres on the pavement are investigated by carrying out axle load
surveys of vehicles with super single tyres.

Research on Super Single Tyres

ii

1.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

Research Motivation

The pursuit of increased efficiency and economy by the trucking industry has led to increasing use of widebase supersingle tires and heavier truck loadings. Studies by De Beer et al. _1997_, Myers et al. _1999_,
and Siddharthan and Sebaaly _1999_ have indicated that these tires create higher vertical and transverse
contact stresses across larger contact areas with the pavement. These studies indicated that vertical contact
stresses as large as 2.5 times the tire inflation pressures are created when these tires are used, especially at
high loads and inflation pressures. The increased trend toward larger truck loads, higher tyre inflation
pressures, and the use of wide-base tyres has caused concern about pavement integrity.

Research on Super Single Tyres

2.0 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research is to evaluate the damaging effect of vehicles with Super Single Tyre axles on
flexible pavements compared to the conventional dual tyres and to determine appropriate axle load limits.

3.0 SCOPE OF THE RESEARCH

The scope of this research includes literature review, axle load surveys on super singles, analysis of the
survey data and conclusions based on results and identify areas where additional research work is needed.

4.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH

In order to achieve the objective of the research literature on past researches on similar subject will be
reviewed to find the most practical and ideal way of determine the damaging effect of the super single as
compared to the conventional dual tyre system.
Axle load survey of vehicles with the super single tyres on six (6) major roads in Kenya will be carried out
for at least seven (7) days and two (2) nights as per the recommendations of Road Note 40. Simultaneously
to this exercise tyre tread depth and pressure will be measured and recorded beside the axle load survey
data.
Analysis will be carried out to determine the equivalence factors and compared with the recommended
equivalence factors.

5.0 EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

The equipment listed in Table 1.0 below are required in order to obtain the various parameters on super
single tyres.
Table 1.0: Equipment required in the research.
S/N
1
2
3
4

PARAMETER
Axle load
Tyre tread depth
Tyre presure
Research photographs

Research on Super Single Tyres

EQUIPMENT
Portable weighpad
Tyre tread depth gauge
Tyre pressure gauge
Digital Camera

In addition a computer with Microsoft Office suite and Printer is essential in the analysis, writing and
production of reports.
Of the above equipment only the Portable weighpad, a computer and a printer can be sourced within the
department while the other needs to be purchased.

6.0 RESEARCH TEAM

The research requires the input of the following personnel from Materials Testing and Research Department and the
Kenya Police:

Table 2.0: Research personnel

S/N
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

DESIGNATION
Senior Engineer
Engineer II
Technologists
Technician
Driver
Skilled casuals
Unskilled casuals
Police Officers

NUMBER
2
2
2
3
2
3
2
2

7.0 TIME SCHEDULE

The schedule in Annex I is the proposed research program.

8.0 BUDGET
The table below summarises the research budget as per the proposed workplan in Annex II.
Table 3.0: Research budget
S/N
1
2
3

ITEM
Staff Allowances
Purchase of research equipment
Vehicles and equipment operations
TOTAL

Research on Super Single Tyres

AMOUNT
5,247,000
120,000
475,000
5,842,000

REFERENCES

Research on Super Single Tyres

ANNEXES

Research on Super Single Tyres

ANNEX I: PROPOSED RESEARCH TIME SCHEDULE

Research on Super Single Tyres

ANNEX II: PROPOSED RESEARCH WORKPLAN

Research on Super Single Tyres