DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS OF
. ROAD D·ESIGN VEHICLES (First Revision) ·!·.·.· . ·=,.•••
..
,•.:
.I .
.
THE INDIAN ROADS -coNGRESS 1983
IRC: 3-1983 MEMBERS OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE 1. K.K. Sarin (Convenor)
2. N. Sivaguru (Member-Secretary) 3. V.K. Arora 4. R.T. Atre
5. M.K. Chatterjee 6. D.C. Chaturvedi 7. B.M. Das 8. Dr. M.P~ Dhir 9. T.A.E. D'sa 10. V.i>. Gangal 11. Y.C. "Gokhale 12. I.e. Gupta 13. D.P. Jain 14. M.B. Jayawant 15. o . c. Jh~ 16. N.H. Keshwani 17. Dr. S.K. Khanna 18. S.B. Kulkarni 19. P.K. Lauria 20. K.S. Logayinayagam 21. Mahabir Prasad 22. H.C. Malhotra 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.
J.M. Malhotra M.R. Malya P.N. Misra I.K. Modi 0. Muthachen
28. P.K. Nagarkar 29. K.K. Nambiar
Director General (Road Development) and Addl. Secretary to the Govt. of India, Ministry of Shipping & Transport Chief Engineer (Roads), Ministry of Shipping & Transport Chief Engineer (Roads), Ministry of Shipping & Transport Secretary to the Govt. of Maharashtra (II) PW & H Deptt. Chief Engineer (Retd.) E.C. 164, Salt Lake, Calcutta Managing Director (Retd.) A-709_ (H.I.G.), Indira . . Nagar, Lucknow · Chief E~gineer; National Highways and Projects, Orissa Deputy Director, Central Road Research Institute Chief Engineer, The Concrete Association- of· India, . ' Bombay Superintending· Engineer, New D~lhi Municipal Committee Head, Flexible Pavements Division, Central Road Research Institute _Engineer-in-Chief (Retd.) H~uyana P. W.D. B & R Chief Engineer (Retd.), 0-21, Ashok Marg, Jaipur · Neelkanth, 24; Carter Road, Bandra, Bombay Superintending Engineer (Design), C.D.O. Patna Chief Engineer· (Retd.), 797 DIII, Mandir Marg, New Delhi · Prof. of Civil Engineering & Dean Development & Planning, University of Roorkee Bitume.n Manager, Indian OilCorporation Ltd. Bombay Chief Engineer-cum-Housing Commissioner, Rajasthan State Housing Board · Chief Engineer (Retd.),J81-B, 54th Street, Ashok Nagar Madras . . · Chief Engineer {Retd.), }OflO Sarojini Naidu Marg, Lucknow · · Chairman & Managing Director, Engineering Projects (India) Ltd. New Delhi · Secretary to the Govt. of Rajasthan p.W.D. 3, Panorama, 30, Pali Hiii Road, Bo~bayMember, U.P~ Public Service Commission Secretary, to the Govt. of Gujarat B & C Deptt. Engineer-in-Chief (Retd.), C.P.W.D., Poomkavil, Somanga1am, Punalur P.O. Kerala · Chief Engineet.: & Director, Maha:rashtra Engineering Research Institute Chief Engineer (Retd.) Tamil Nadu, Ramanalaya, 11, First Crescent Park RO:ad,: Gandhinagar, Ady~_r, Madras
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS OF
ROAD DESIGN VEHICLES (First Revision)
Published by THE INDIAN ROADS CONGRESS Jamnagar House, Shabjahan Road New Delhi-110011
- 1983 Price Rsa~ M (Plus packing and postage)
IRC: 3-1983
IRC: 3-1983
First Published : January, 1954 Reprinted : November, 1954 First Revision : August, 1983
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS OF ROAD DESIGN VEHICLES 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. The object of framing this Standard is to lay down a basis for designing road components. The dimensions and weights of . vehicles are cardinal factors in the design of road elements. The width of the design vehicle bas a bearing on the width of traffic lanes and that of shoulders. The height of the vehicle affects the clearance to be provided in designing road underbridges, electrical service lines, and other overhead structures. The overall length of the vehicle (including trailer and semi-trailer combinations) has to be taken into consideration in designing horizontal curves and vertical curves, as also in framing safety regulations for passing·and overtaking. The axle load affects the design of the thickness of pavement, whereas the total weight of the vehicle governs limiting gradients.
(Rights of Publication and of Translation are reserved)
1.2. The Indian Roads Congress Standard on Dimensions and Weights . of Road Design Vehicles was first published in January, 1954. When the question of metricization ·of this standard was taken up, it was felt that since by that time considerable changes had taken place in the design and construction of motor vehicles and concept of geometric and structural design of the highway system both in this country and abroad, tl~ere was need of its wholesale revision. · ·
I:.
Printed at PRINTAID, New Delhi-20
Accordingly, a revised draft for the Standard was prepared by L.R. Kadiyali. This· was modified in the Ministry of Shipping and Transport (Roads Wing) considering the. current amendments to the Indian Motor Vehicles Act 1939 an
IRC: 3-1983
IRC : 3-1983 2. SCOPE
3.4.
2.1. The Standard shall be applied in designing all road elements except culverts and bridges, the latter being governed by the IRC Bridge Codes.
The total longitudinal dimension of any vehicle or combination of vehicles, including any· load or load-holding devices thereon.
2.2. For purposes of this Standard, three types of commercial vehicles have been recognised :
3.5.
The selection of the vehicle type for design of a road .·would depend upon terrain conditions, economic justification, importance of the road and similar other considerations. . As a general guide, roads in steep and mountainous terrain need not be designed for truck-trailer combination and may only be designed for single unit vehicle and, where economically feasible, for semi-trailers. Subject to the above, such of the maximum dimensions and weights out of those specified here shall be used that have the severest effect in the design of any road component. All road. components, to be newly built or improved, shall be so designed that they are in~tially adeq:uate or capable of being made adequate subsequently when the necessity arises, for the movement of ·vehicles couforming to this Standard and selected for design of the road. · 3. DEFINITIONS
3.1.
Axle
The common axis of rotation of one or more wheels, whether power driven or· freely rotating, and whether in one or more segments, and regardless of the number of wheels carried thereon.
3.2.
An.assemblage of two or more consecutive axles considered together in determining their combined load effect on a pavement structure. 3.3.
f
I
3.6.
Semi-Trailer
A vehicle designed for carrying persons or property and drawn by a truck~ tractor on which part of its weight and load rests. 3.7.
Single Axle ·
An assembly of two or more wheels whose centres are in one transverse vertical plane or may be included between two parallel transverse .vertical planes one metre apart extending across the full width of the vehicles. 3.8.
Tandem Axle
Any two or more consecutive axles whose centres are more than 1.2 m but· not more than 2.5 m apart and are individually attached to andjor articulated from a common attachment to the vehicle including a . connecting mechanism to equalise the load between axles. 3.9. Tandem Axle Weight The total weight transmitted to the road by two or more consecutive axles whose centres may be included between parallel transverse vertical planes spaced not less than 1.2 m but not more than 2.5 m apart, extending the full width of the vehicle. 3.I 0.
Axle Group
Height, Overall
The total vertical dimension of any vehicle above the ground surface including any load and load holding device thereon.
(i) Single unit (ii) Semi-trailer (iii) Truck-trailer combination.
Length, OveraU
Trailer
A vehicle designed for carrying persons or goods and drawn by a motor vehicle which carries no part of the weight and load of the trailer on its own wheels. 3.11. Truck
Gross Weight
The weight of a vehicle and/or vehicle. combination without· · load plu,s the weight of any load thereon .. 2
A motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of goods. 3
IRG: 3-1983
3.12.
IRG: 3-1983
Truck-Tractor
number of its axles. For instance, a 2-S2 combination is a twoaxle truck-tractor with a tandem-axle semi-trailer. Combi· nation 2~2 is a two-axle truck with a two-axletrailer.
A motor vehicle designed for drawing other vehicles, but not for a load other than part of the weight of the vehicle and load drawn. · 3.13.
5. DIMENSIONS OF ROAD DESIGN VESICLES
Truck-Trailer Combination
5.1.
A truck or a tractive unit with a trailer.
No vehicle shall have a width exceeding 2.5 m.
3.14.· Width Overall The total outside transverse dimension of a vehicle including any load or load holding devices thereon, but excluding approved safety devices and tyre buJge due to load. · 4. NOTATIONS FOR VEHICLE TYPES
I r
~
TYPf:- 2.
~ TYPE-'3
5.2.
Height
' No vehicle other than a double-decker bus shall have a height exceeding 3.8 m for normal application and 4.2 m when carrying ISO series 1 freight containers. Double decker buses may, however, , have a height not exceeding 4.75 m. 5.3.
The Figure shows the outline of the vehicle types covered by this Standard. The first digit indicates the num her of axles of the truck or truck-tractor. The letter "S" indicates a semi-traiJer and the letter immediately following an ''S" indicates the number ·of axles on the semi-trailer. Any digit other than the first in a combination, when not preceded by "S" indicates a trailer· and the
~
Width
Length
5.3. l. The maximum overall length of a single unit truck, exclusive of front· and rear bumpers, having two or more axles, shall be 11 m. 5.3.2. The maximum overall length of a single u.nit bus, exclusive of front and rear bumpers, having two or more axles shall be 12m.
~
5.3.3. The maximum overall. length of a truck-tractor semi-trailer combination, exclusive of front and rear bumpers, shall be 16m.
TYPE 2- St
5.3.4.
~ TYP£ 2.-52
·~ TYPE 3- S1
~ iVPE '3- $2
o:CCJ-W· s:CQ-W 6JCJ ~
TYPE 2.- ~
TYPE 3- 2.
'TYPE 2·3 . 1
~ombination,
The maximum overall length of a truck-trailer exclusive of front and rear bumpers, shall be 18 m.
I
5.3.5. No combination of vehicles shall comprise more than two vehicles.
I
6. MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE WEIGHTS
:/
6.1. Single Axle Weight The total gross weight imposed on the highway by a single axle fitted with dual wheels shall not exceed I 0.2 tonnes. In the .case of axles with single wheels, the axle weight shall not exceed .() tonnes.
i
t ". I
\
Fig. Vehicle Types
. 6.2. Tandem Axle ·weight The total gross weight imposed on the high way by two axles in tandem articulated from a common attachment to the vehicle or
4
5
iVPE .3·3 ,~
I
,
..
IRC: 3:-1983
IRC: 3-1983
individually attac.bed to tbe vehicles and spaced not less then~ 1.2 m but not more than 2.5 m apart, shall not exceed 18 tonnes. 6.3.
30. T.K. Natarajan
Ma~imum Permis~ible Gross Weight
The maximum permissibie gross weight for a given ':ehi_cl_e or vehicle combination would be equal to the sum of ~he mdtvi.d_ual single axle and tandem a?'l~ weights indi_cated ab~ve. . For typical vehicles, maximum permiSS-Ible gross weights are given m -the Table. TABLE:
Vehicle type
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE GROS"! WEIGHTS AND MA:XIMUM AXi.B WEIGHTS OF TRANSPORT VEHICLES
Maximum gross weight (tonnes)
Maximum axle weight (tonnes) ------,..-..,...----,.--------~, Trailer Tr uck]Tractor _F_A_W_-,--_R_A_W--·1 FA w
Type 2 (Both axles single tyre) Type 2 (FA-Single tyre RA-Dual tyre) Type 3 Type 2-Sl Type 2-S2 Type 3-S1 Type 3-S2 Type 2-2 Type 3-2 Type 2-3 Type 3-3 FA RA FA WRAW TA -
12
6
6
16.2
6
10.2
24 26.4 34.2 34.2 42
6
36.6
44.4 44.4 52.2
6 6 6 6 6 6
6 6
Front Axle Rear Axle Weight on Front Axle Weight on Rear Axle Tandem axle fitted with 8 tyres.
6
· 18 (TA) 10.2 10.2 18 (TA) 18 (TA) 10.2 18 (TA) 10.2 18 (TA)
10.2 10.2 10.2
10.2
I. RAw
10.2 18 (TA) 10.2 18 (TA} 10.2 10.2 18 (TA) 18 (TA)
i
l
~'.
l I·
I I
Deputy Director and· Head, Soil Mechanics Division, Central Road Research Institute 31. A.C. Padhi Chairman, Orissa Public Service Commission 32. Satish Prasad Manager, lndianOil, Al-103, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi · 33. Y.R. Phull Head, ·Rigid Pavements Division, C~ntral Road Research Institute Director General Border Roads 34. Maj. Gen.. J.M. Rai 35. Brig. L. V. R:amakrishiia. Director ·<>f Utilities, E-in-C's Branch, Army Head. quarters . . 36. G. Raman Dir~ctor (Civil Engineering), Indian Standards Institution, New Delhi · 37. Rajinder Singh Chief Engineer, Jammu P.W.D., B & R '38. A.R. Rao Ch~irman, .Bhubaneswar Regional Improvement Trust 39. T;S. Reddy Project Co-ordinator, Central Road Research Institute 40. Prof. N. Ranganathan Head, Traffic and Transportation. Planning, School of ·Planning & Architecture· ·. 41. Dr.· O.S. Saghal Principal, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh 42. C~D. Thatte Di~ecto~, Gujarat Engineering Research Institute 43. N; Sen . Chief Engineer (Retd.) 12-A, Chittaranjan Park, New · Delhi . 44. ·R.P. Sikka Chief Engineer (Roads), Ministry of Shipping & Transport 45. L. Shivalingaiah Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Karnataka State Constr~ction Corporation 46. J.S. Sodhi Director, Quality Control, Punjab P~W.D. Chandigarh 47. Dr. N.S. Srinivasan Executive Director, National Transportation Planning & Research Centre, Trivandrum ' 48. G.M. Shonthu Chief Engineer, Kashmir, P.W.D. B & R 49. Prof. C.G. Swaminathan Director, Central Road Research Institute 50. ·B.T. Unwalla ·chief Engineer.(Retd.) 15/9, Rustoni Baug, Sant Savta Marg, Byculla, Bombay-400 027 51. M.G. Uppal Engineer-in-Chief, Haryana P.W.D. B & R 52. :M.c. Vakil Superintending Engineer;H.P. P.W.D~ 53. The Director .Highways Research Station, Madras (S.A. Latheef)
