How many tons of vehicles can a 10 cm thick cement road bear?
2 Answers
No more than 10 tons. It depends on the bearing capacity of the compacted soil layer. The concrete cushion can bear 400 kg/m²; if it is on the ground, it can bear 1000 kg/m². The bearing capacity of a 10 cm thick concrete ground mainly depends on the compacted soil layer's bearing capacity. Generally, a 10 cm concrete cushion can bear 400 kg/m². Types of concrete: Heavy concrete: Heavy concrete usually refers to concrete with a surface density greater than 2600 kg/m³. This type of concrete is made using high-density aggregates or heavy cement (such as barium cement, strontium cement, etc.) and is mainly used as radiation shielding structural materials in nuclear engineering, hence it is also called radiation shielding concrete. Ordinary concrete: Ordinary concrete refers to concrete with a surface density between 2000-2600 kg/m³. This concrete uses cement as the cementitious material, combined with natural sand, stone, and other materials. It is the most commonly used cement concrete in current engineering construction. Lightweight concrete: Lightweight concrete usually refers to concrete with a surface density less than 1950 kg/m³. This type of concrete is mainly made using lightweight porous materials such as ceramsite, or by incorporating aerating agents or foaming agents to create a porous structure. Based on its application, lightweight concrete can be further divided into thermal insulation lightweight concrete and structural thermal insulation lightweight concrete.
I've been working on construction sites for almost twenty years, often repairing cement roads. For a 10 cm thick cement road made with ordinary C25 concrete, the load-bearing capacity is generally around 8 to 10 tons. It mainly depends on how well the road foundation is prepared. If there's a crushed stone cushion or compacted subgrade underneath, it might hold a bit more. However, during actual driving, the contact area of the wheels is crucial. Large trucks have more wheels, distributing the pressure better, which can handle an extra ton or two. Small trucks with fewer wheels exert more pressure and are more likely to cause cracks. I've seen some places skimp by laying only 10 cm, only for the road to crack badly after a few passes by gravel trucks, making repairs costly. So, my advice is not to exceed 8 tons for safety. Overloading not only damages the road but can also lead to rollover accidents.
