Military Load Classification
Encyclopedia
The Military Load Classification (MLC) is a system of standards used by NATO and the United States Department of Defense
to classify the safe amount of load a surface can withstand. Load-carrying capacity are shown in whole numbers for vehicles, bridges, roads, and routes. Vehicles are classified by weight, type, and effect on routes. Bridges, roads, and routes are classified by physical characteristics, type and flow of traffic, effects of weather
, and other special conditions.
Usually, the lowest bridge
classification number (regardless of vehicle type or conditions of traffic flow
) sets the load classification of a route. If no bridge is located on the route, the worst section of road governs the route's classification. Vehicles having higher load classifications than a particular route are sometimes able to use that route if a recon overlay or a special recon shows that a change in traffic control
, such as making a bridge a single-flow crossing, would permit use of the route by heavier traffic.
Whenever possible, the basic military road
network is composed of average routes and includes a number of heavy traffic routes and a few very heavy traffic routes. The class of a military road maneuver network is fixed by the minimum route classification of the network. Individual routes are grouped and identified in broad categories:
The MLC scale is defined in terms of a set of 16 hypothetical standard wheeled vehicles and a set of 11 hypothetical tracked vehicles. Originally, these hypothetical vehicles were typical of actual military vehicle
s used in NATO countries. Standard tracked vehicles are designated by MLC numbers ranging from 4 to 150, which correspond to the gross vehicle weight in short tons. Each standard tracked vehicle is also defined in terms of track width, length, and spacing. Standard wheeled vehicles are designated by the same MLC numbers (4 through 150), which correspond to about 85% of the gross weight in short tons. Each standard wheeled vehicle is defined in terms of gross weight, number of axle
s, axle spacing, and axle load.
In addition to the standard hypothetical wheeled vehicles, a maximum single-axle load is specified for each MLC. This is used to represent the loading on very short spans, when only one axle is on the span at a time.
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
to classify the safe amount of load a surface can withstand. Load-carrying capacity are shown in whole numbers for vehicles, bridges, roads, and routes. Vehicles are classified by weight, type, and effect on routes. Bridges, roads, and routes are classified by physical characteristics, type and flow of traffic, effects of weather
Weather
Weather is the state of the atmosphere, to the degree that it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. Most weather phenomena occur in the troposphere, just below the stratosphere. Weather refers, generally, to day-to-day temperature and precipitation activity, whereas climate...
, and other special conditions.
Usually, the lowest bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
classification number (regardless of vehicle type or conditions of traffic flow
Traffic flow
Traffic flow, in mathematics and civil engineering, is the study of interactions between vehicles, drivers, and infrastructure , with the aim of understanding and developing an optimal road network with efficient movement of traffic and minimal traffic congestion problems.-History:Attempts to...
) sets the load classification of a route. If no bridge is located on the route, the worst section of road governs the route's classification. Vehicles having higher load classifications than a particular route are sometimes able to use that route if a recon overlay or a special recon shows that a change in traffic control
Traffic control
Road traffic control involves directing vehicular and pedestrian traffic around a construction zone, accident or other road disruption, thus ensuring the safety of emergency response teams, construction workers and the general public....
, such as making a bridge a single-flow crossing, would permit use of the route by heavier traffic.
Whenever possible, the basic military road
Military road
A military road is a type of road built by the United States Army. They are used mostly by soldiers, government officials, and sometimes the public. Most military roads are not accessible by public vehicles, however, some are designated as state highways that maintains it. Some military roads are...
network is composed of average routes and includes a number of heavy traffic routes and a few very heavy traffic routes. The class of a military road maneuver network is fixed by the minimum route classification of the network. Individual routes are grouped and identified in broad categories:
The MLC scale is defined in terms of a set of 16 hypothetical standard wheeled vehicles and a set of 11 hypothetical tracked vehicles. Originally, these hypothetical vehicles were typical of actual military vehicle
Military vehicle
A military vehicle is a vehicle that includes all land combat and transportation vehicles, which are designed for or are in significant use by military forces throughout the world. Vehicles that are armored or intended for combat are often referred to as armoured fighting vehicles....
s used in NATO countries. Standard tracked vehicles are designated by MLC numbers ranging from 4 to 150, which correspond to the gross vehicle weight in short tons. Each standard tracked vehicle is also defined in terms of track width, length, and spacing. Standard wheeled vehicles are designated by the same MLC numbers (4 through 150), which correspond to about 85% of the gross weight in short tons. Each standard wheeled vehicle is defined in terms of gross weight, number of axle
Axle
An axle is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear. On wheeled vehicles, the axle may be fixed to the wheels, rotating with them, or fixed to its surroundings, with the wheels rotating around the axle. In the former case, bearings or bushings are provided at the mounting points where the axle...
s, axle spacing, and axle load.
In addition to the standard hypothetical wheeled vehicles, a maximum single-axle load is specified for each MLC. This is used to represent the loading on very short spans, when only one axle is on the span at a time.