Teljekoormust

Teljekoormust is Estonian for axle load, referring to the vertical force transmitted to the road surface by a vehicle’s axle or group of axles. It is the portion of a vehicle’s weight that acts through the wheels at a given contact point and is typically expressed in tonnes per axle or in kilonewtons.

The axle load can be static, corresponding to the vehicle’s weight, or dynamic, affected by acceleration, braking, suspension behavior, and road surface conditions. Because the contact force can fluctuate as a vehicle travels, real-world axle loads may differ from the nominal weight of the vehicle.

Axle load is a central factor in road and pavement design, maintenance, and regulation. Pavement design uses axle-load input to estimate damage over time, with higher and more concentrated loads accelerating wear, fatigue cracking, and rutting. The concept is often incorporated through frameworks such as equivalent single axle load (ESAL) calculations, which translate a given axle load into an estimated amount of pavement damage relative to a reference load.

Regulatory frameworks typically impose limits on per-axle loads, and these limits vary by country, vehicle configuration, and road type. Enforcement methods include static weigh stations and weigh-in-motion systems that record axle weights while vehicles are in motion, helping to monitor compliance and prevent overloading.

Understanding teljekoormust is important for transport planning, road safety, and infrastructure economics, as axle-load characteristics influence vehicle efficiency, maintenance needs, and the longevity of road networks. Related topics include axle-load regulation, weigh-in-motion technology, and pavement-design methodologies.