Non destructive assessment of pavement design and new build quality : Ballard, G S Non-destructive Testing in Civil Engineering, Liverpool, (United Kingdom), 14–16 Apr 1993. Vol. 1, pp 391–404. Edited by J H Bungey. The British Institute of NDT (1993)

Abstract

Pulsed Radio Echo Sounding (Ground Radar) is used to assess the structural composition of pavements and to provide information on thickness, bond and density for correlation with and correction of surface strength measurements. The construction of an experimental pavement, built to assess the benefits of tapered design in prolonging pavement life, is examined: continuous assessment by radar shows wide deviation from the design specification, and faults of bond and compaction in the pavement itself, both in the experimental tapered sections and the standard parallel layer sections. The effect of these defects on apparent pavement strength and projected life is considered, and the resultant effect on the pavement experiment itself. Assuming that these faults will be repeated in any standard production road, the use of continuous non-destructive pavement assessment is discussed, as a Quality Control tool to avoid costly early life repairs. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD 861706.