Centrifuge modelling of temporary roadway systems subject to rolling type loading

Scaled centrifuge modelling techniques were used to study the soil-structure interactions and performance of a jointed rollable aluminium roadway (or trackway) system on soft clay under light truck tyre loads. The measured performance and subsequent analyses highlighted that the articulated connections significantly reduced the overall longitudinal flexural stiffness of the roadway leading to stress concentrations in the soil below the joints under tyred vehicle loadings. This resulted in rapid localised failure of the supporting soil that in turn led to excessive transverse flexure of the roadway and ultimately plastic deformations. It is shown that the performance of rollable roadway systems under tyred vehicle trafficking will be improved by eliminating joint rotation to increase longitudinal stiffness.