History - 1968
Development of Mk 1 prototype
The South African HVS programme stems from development work during the late 1960s, during which time the then National Institute for Road Research of the CSIR constructed a static linear tracking pavement loading device for simulating heavy vehicle loads. This can rightly be regarded as the first South African heavy vehicle simulator, though differing considerably from its better known offspring. simulator, though differing considerably from its better known offspring.
This device provided the framework for the development of some fundamental aspects of the HVS, such as the method of loading and driving the test wheel but differed significantly from the HVS in that it was a fixed facility. This latter aspect, still common today for pavement test facilities, was the norm at that time. It was, however, the change in this fundamental characteristic that imparted the It was, however, the change in this fundamental characteristic that imparted the South African HVS its uniqueness : it became a mobile pavement tester.
Development of Mk 1 prototype
The South African HVS programme stems from development work during the late 1960s, during which time the then National Institute for Road Research of the CSIR constructed a static linear tracking pavement loading device for simulating heavy vehicle loads. This can rightly be regarded as the first South African heavy vehicle simulator, though differing considerably from its better known offspring. simulator, though differing considerably from its better known offspring.
This device provided the framework for the development of some fundamental aspects of the HVS, such as the method of loading and driving the test wheel but differed significantly from the HVS in that it was a fixed facility. This latter aspect, still common today for pavement test facilities, was the norm at that time. It was, however, the change in this fundamental characteristic that imparted the It was, however, the change in this fundamental characteristic that imparted the South African HVS its uniqueness : it became a mobile pavement tester.