ABSTRACT
A probabilistic traffic load model has been developed to describe extreme traffic loads that exceed a high threshold (such as a legal load limit). The paper describes a probability distribution function of the peak load that is readily fitted to extreme load data and includes a limit on the maximum possible load. The load model is described and illustrated with regard to extreme wheel loads for an aircraft (A380F) and extreme truck loads (based on weigh-in-motion data). The maximum load limit is shown to have a significant influence on the distribution of the peak load when the expected number of overload events is large.
