New Condition Assessment Procedure for Asphalt Pavement Layers, Using Falling Weight Deflectometer Deflections

Author(s):  
Bing Xu ◽  
S. Ranji Ranjithan ◽  
Y. Richard Kim
Author(s):  
Hee Mun Park ◽  
Y. Richard Kim ◽  
Seong Wan Park

A condition assessment procedure for pavement layers that uses multiload-level falling weight deflectometer (FWD) deflections is presented. A dynamic finite element program that incorporates a stress-dependent soil model was used to generate the synthetic deflection database. On the basis of the data in this database, the relationships between surface deflections and critical pavement responses, such as the stresses and strains in each layer, have been established. The FWD deflection data, distress survey results, temperature, and laboratory testing results used to develop this procedure were collected from the Long-Term Pavement Performance project database. Research efforts also focused on the effect of the FWD load level on the condition assessment procedure. The results indicate that the proposed procedure can estimate the asphalt concrete (AC), base, and subgrade layer conditions. The AC layer modulus and the tensile strain at the bottom of the AC layer were found to be better indicators of the condition of the AC layer than the deflection basin parameter. It was also found that the structurally adjusted base damage index and base curvature index were good indicators for prediction of the stiffness characteristics of the aggregate base and subgrade, respectively. An FWD test with a load of 71.2 kN or less does not improve the accuracy of this procedure. The results from the study of the nonlinear behavior of a pavement structure indicate that the deflection ratio obtained from multiload-level deflections can predict the type and quality of the base and subgrade materials.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 846-855
Author(s):  
Dandan Cao ◽  
Changjun Zhou ◽  
Yanqing Zhao ◽  
Guozhi Fu ◽  
Wanqiu Liu

In this study, the field falling weight deflectometer (FWD) data for asphalt pavement with various base types were backcalculated through dynamic and static backcalculation approaches, and the effectiveness of backcalculation approaches was studied. Asphalt concrete (AC) was treated as a viscoelastic material and the complex modulus was obtained using the dynamic approach. The dynamic modulus at a fixed frequency was computed for comparison purposes. The coefficient of variance and the compensating layer effect were assumed as two characteristics for the effectiveness of backcalculation approaches. The results show that the layer property from the dynamic backcalculation approach for different stations were more consistent and showed smaller coefficient of variance, which were more appropriate for the characterization pavement behavior. The elastic moduli from the static approach were more variable and exhibited a compensating layer effect in which a portion of the modulus of one layer was backcalculated into other layers. The dynamic approach is more effective than static approaches in backcalculation of layer properties.


Author(s):  
Claude Villiers ◽  
Reynaldo Roque ◽  
Bruce Dietrich

The transverse profilograph has been recognized as one of the most accurate devices for the measurement of rut depth. However, interpretation of surface transverse profile measurements poses a major challenge in determining the contributions of the different layers to rutting. A literature review has shown that the actual rutting mechanism can be estimated from a surface transverse profile for determination of the relative contribution of the layers to rutting. Unfortunately, much of the research yielded no verification or data. In addition, some techniques presented cannot be used if the rut depth is not well pronounced. Other techniques may be costly and time-consuming. The present research developed an approach that integrates ( a) falling weight deflectometer and core data along with 3.6-m transverse profile measurements to assess the contributions of different pavement layers to rutting and ( b) identifies the presence (or absence) of instability within the asphalt surface layer. This approach can be used regardless of the magnitude of the rut depth. On the basis of the analysis conducted, absolute rut depth should not be used to interpret the performance of the asphalt mixture. In addition, continued instability may not result in an increase in rut depth because the rutted basin broadens as traffic wander compacts or moves the dilated portion of the mixture. The approach developed appears to provide a reasonable way to distinguish between different sources of rutting. The conclusions drawn from analysis of the approach agreed well with observations from the trench cuts taken from four sections.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Kavussi ◽  
Shahaboddin Yasrobi

Portable Falling Weight Deflectometer (PFWD) that can be considered as simple equipment is mainly used to measure elastic moduli of pavement unbound layers. This paper evaluates the potential use of PFWD to reliably measure the elastic modulus of pavement layers. To achieve this, PFWD tests were conducted on highway sections selected from different projects in Tehran. The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) laboratory tests were also conducted on samples collected during field tests. PFWD testing parameters were varied while performing the field testing. These included drop weight, drop height, plate diameter and position of additional geophones. In addition, PFWD moduli were compared with those obtained from performing FWD testing on the same site. It was found that drop mass and loading plate size affect PFWD modulus significantly. In addition, the results indicated that good correlation exist between PFWD moduli and FWD and CBR results. Santrauka Nešiojamasis krintančio svorio deflektometras PFWD (angl. portable falling weight deflectometer) yra nesudetingas prietaisas, dažniausiai naudojamas kelio dangu nesurištu sluoksniu tamprumo moduliui nustatyti. Straipsnyje apžvelgta, kaip PFWD naudojamas kelio dangu sluoksniu tamprumo moduliams matuoti. Taikant PFWD išbandyti skirtinguose projektuose Teherane (Iranas) panaudoti kelio dangu skerspjūviai. Bandiniams papildomai atlikti Kalifornijos santykinio atsparumo rodiklio CBR (angl. California bearing ratio) nustatymo eksperimentiniai tyrimai. Atliekant lauko tyrimus naudoti skirtingi PFWD bandymu parametrai: krintantis svoris, kritimo aukštis, plokštes skersmuo ir papildomai išdestyti geofonai. PFWD nustatyti tamprumo moduliai palyginti su tamprumo moduliais, išmatuotais naudojant krintančio svorio deflektometra FWD (angl. falling weight deflectometer). Nustatyta, kad PFWD matavimu rezultatams didele itaka turi kritimo mase ir apkrovimo plokštes matmenys. Gauti eksperimentiniu tyrimu rezultatai parode, kad PFWD, FWD ir CBR matavimai gerai koreliuoja tarpusavyje.


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