Why Tanks Damage Roads: Understanding the Science Behind Track-Damaged Highways

When it comes to road damage, tanks are often singled out as the culprits. But why do tanks cause such significant damage to the roads they travel on?

The Road Design Criteria and Load Standards

Modern road design follows specific criteria to ensure safety and durability under pressure. These criteria, known as the Standard Axle Load, define the maximum load that any single axle should carry. The typical load per axle is 8.1 tonnes, a standard that has been in place to ensure that all heavy vehicles, including trucks and tank vehicles, adhere to it. However, this standard is only one factor in the overall road design considerations.

The Irrversible Damage Caused by Overloading

When it comes to road damage, there are typically two primary causes: inferior road paving and overloading. Road damage is often attributed to either insufficient road paving quality or vehicles that carry more than the standard axle load. Heavy vehicles, such as trucks, often require multiple axles to distribute the load and prevent damage to the road surface.

Tank Damage: More Than Meets the Eye

Tanks pose a unique challenge to road infrastructure due to their massive weight and specialized tracks designed for navigating difficult terrains. While tanks are generally designed to travel on highways and major roads, the tracks they use can still cause significant damage if not properly suited for the specific conditions of the road. For instance, using tracks meant for desert or other terrains on a road designed for different conditions can lead to severe damage.

Mechanical Forces and Road Integrity

The combination of a tank's massive weight, which can range between 50 to 90 tons, and its traction system, built for tough terrain, creates a significant load on the road surface. When tanks travel, the direct contact of their metal tracks with the road surface, coupled with their immense weight, can cause substantial damage. Even when tanks use rubber track pads, the grinding and sliding action of the tracks can still cause significant damage to the pavement.

Damage During Turns and Operation

When a tank turns, the tracks grind sideways, leading to a situation where the pavement is torn up by the sharp edges of the metal tracks. This grinding and sliding action is particularly damaging, especially when the pavement is already in a less-than-ideal state. Even when a road is designed to withstand tank traffic, rubber particles can scatter, making cleanup necessary and impacting overall road maintenance.

Protective Measures and Solutions

Fortunately, there are solutions to mitigate the damage caused by tanks. Employing rubber inserts, using tracks designed for urban areas (commonly known as street shoes), and even the use of wooden boards can reduce the impact of tank traffic on paved roads.

For instance, an Abrams tank, which typically weighs around 60 tons, and a Cat D11 bulldozer, weighing 104 tons, both have the capability to tear up conventional roads if not managed properly. In contrast, regular construction equipment with proper track links, even when heavy, can cross roads without significant damage.

Case studies have shown that with proper configuration and use of specialized tracks, tanks can traverse urban areas without causing major damage to the roads. The D8 tracked bulldozer, for instance, has successfully crossed roads with minimal impact, indicating the potential for such vehicles to pass through strategically without significant road damage.

In conclusion, the damage caused by tanks on roads is a multifaceted issue involving both the vehicle's physical properties and the road's structural integrity. By understanding these factors and implementing appropriate measures, it is possible to reduce the damage and maintain effective road infrastructure despite the challenges posed by heavy and specialized use vehicles like tanks.