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Loading:Access Ramp - Design Calculator

 
Problem Statement

This calculator evaluates whether the wheel load on the access ramp will damages the geomembrane.

The Factor of Safety (FS) is given as follows:

with advised minimum Factor of Safety of 3 @ 10% penetration. 

Estimation of the field contact stress (σ contact):

Effective radius of the tire contact is defined as:

σcontact Contact stress (kN/m2)
σtire Tire pressure (kN/m2)
R Effective radius (m)
t Ramp thickness (m)
P Load per wheel (kN)

Estimation of compressive strength at 10% deflection (σ pen):

If no in-situ test is available, or when the liner system follows the contours of the ramp, the use of a geotextile is recommended to reinforce the ramp and protect the geomembrane (Geomembrane puncture protection)

Input Values

Vehicle properties 
Weight (W) metric tons
Number of axles 
Wheels per axle
Tire pressure (σtire) kN/m2
Ramp geometry
Thickness (t) m
Geomembrane properties
Compressive stress at 10% deflection (σpen) kN/m2

References

G. N. Richardson and R. M. Koerner, "Geosynthetic Design Guidance for Hazardous Waste Landfill Cells and Surface Impoundments", 1987.

Copyright 2001 Advanced Geotech Systems.  All rights reserved.