Integration of field and laboratory testing to determine the causes of a premature pavement failure

Abstract

The main objective of the forensic study was to identify the cause(s) of the pavement failure on a temporary detour of an interstate highway in Austin, Texas. Ground penetrating radar (GPR), falling weight deflectometer (FWD), coring, trenching, and comprehensive laboratory tests were performed. It was found that the main cause of the premature failure was attributed to material and construction practices. The base material used on this project did not meet the Triaxial class 1 requirement; it tested as a class 2.3 material. The base material was found to be highly moisture susceptible; it did not meet the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT's) compressive strength requirements when subjected to capillary soaking. In addition, the repetitive triaxial test results revealed that the stiffness and load-carrying capability and resistance to permanent deformation became inadequate when the base material was exposed to moisture. It is believed that moisture entered this pavement primarily through poorly compacted AC layers and longitudinal joints. Cores taken in March 2004 from the original type B and C layers confirmed that the majority of cores have air voids exceeding 9%. The lower type B layer was also badly segregated and debonded from the upper type C layer at some locations. GPR results also indicated that the joints in the pavement were excessively porous. Further tests on the recovered binder for the type B layer indicated that the binder was prematurely aged, most probably from overheating during production.Key words: pavement failure, forensic, ground penetrating radar (GPR), falling weight deflectometer (FWD), laboratory testing.