Civil Engineering and Architecture Vol. 13(3A), pp. 2548 - 2558
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.131326
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Investigating Vehicle-Induced Vibrations in Rigid Pavements: Effects of Weight, Speed, and Traffic Dynamics

Untoro Nugroho ^1,*, Sri Prabandiyani Retno Wardani ², Bagus Hario Setiadji ^2
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia
² Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

This study explores the impact of vehicle speed and weight on the vibrational response of rigid pavements, focusing on acceleration, velocity, and displacement parameters derived from accelerometer data. Field investigations involving motorcycles, cars, and trucks revealed distinct vibrational patterns based on vehicle type. Lighter vehicles, such as motorcycles, generate high-frequency vibrations with low amplitudes and short durations due to their minimal dynamic impact and reduced energy transfer to the pavement. In contrast, heavier vehicles, particularly trucks, induce low-frequency vibrations with higher amplitudes and prolonged durations, reflecting their greater mass, larger contact area, and sustained excitation of pavement particles. Cars exhibit intermediate vibrational characteristics, with sharper peaks and moderate durations, emphasizing their transitional impact between lighter and heavier vehicles. These findings underscore the critical influence of vehicle-induced forces on pavement performance, with heavier vehicles accelerating structural degradation and fatigue due to prolonged dynamic loading. The study emphasizes the need for incorporating vehicle weight, speed, and dynamic load considerations into pavement design and maintenance strategies to enhance structural resilience and extend service life. By utilizing accelerometer-based measurements and advanced analytical tools such as MATLAB and spectrum analysis, this research provides a comprehensive framework for understanding traffic-induced vibrations and their implications for sustainable infrastructure. The results offer practical insights for optimizing pavement material selection, structural design, and maintenance practices to accommodate diverse traffic loads, reduce repair costs, and ensure long-term road durability in high-traffic environments.

KEYWORDS
Traffic Dynamic Loading, Pavement Particle Acceleration, Vehicle-Induced Vibrations

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Untoro Nugroho , Sri Prabandiyani Retno Wardani , Bagus Hario Setiadji , "Investigating Vehicle-Induced Vibrations in Rigid Pavements: Effects of Weight, Speed, and Traffic Dynamics," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 13, No. 3A, pp. 2548 - 2558, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.131326.

(b). APA Format:
Untoro Nugroho , Sri Prabandiyani Retno Wardani , Bagus Hario Setiadji (2025). Investigating Vehicle-Induced Vibrations in Rigid Pavements: Effects of Weight, Speed, and Traffic Dynamics. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 13(3A), 2548 - 2558. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.131326.