Simulated Road Profiles According to ISO 8608 in Vibration Analysis

Abstract Nowadays, synthetic longitudinal road profiles based on an ISO 8608 road classification are used for simulation purposes to solve various tasks in vibration analysis of mechanical and civil structures and road-vehicle-driver interaction system. Standard ISO 8608 specifies road classification of longitudinal road profiles based on vertical displacement power spectral density (PSD). PSD represented on logarithmic scales is characterized by two parameters of a straight line, an unevenness index and waviness. The aim of this study was to compare spectrum parameters of real roads with ISO 8608 road classes used in scientific papers. Road classes that were used in a sample of 27 current scientific papers were analyzed. Results often indicated marked differences among road classes used for simulation purposes in comparison to the spectrum properties of real roads. For simulation purposes, road Class A may be recommended as representative of typical good or average quality road (motorway, expressway, and first class road). Classes B and C may be appropriate to simulate low-quality paved surfaces (2nd and 3rd class roads or local highways).