Concrete Pavement Thickness Variation Assessment with Cores and Nondestructive Testing Measurements

Abstract

Concrete pavement thickness data were collected from sections of two concrete pavements with a nondestructive testing (NDT) device and by measuring concrete core thickness. The NDT device allowed thickness measurements every 15 ft compared with 1,000 ft for each core. Comparison of the core and NDT data showed that core thickness data do not capture the extreme peaks and valleys of pavement thickness variation. Further analysis of the core and NDT thickness data with the Minnesota Department of Transportation's concrete pavement thickness specifications highlighted that contractor pay deductions based on thickness deficiencies were not realized. Autocorrelation analysis of the data showed that concrete pavement thickness variation is not random but is correlated to thicknesses of lag between 30 and 270 ft. This correlation lag is a starting point for answering the question, how often must a thickness measurement be taken to accurately characterize the thickness variation of a concrete pavement?

Non-destructive ultrasonic tomography for concrete pavement evaluation: signal processing and image analysis of crucial parameters

“…A combination of various studies certify the sensitivity of MIRA with a correlation index of 0.9968 between specimen thicknesses and thickness measurements with MIRA (Vancura et al [21]). Regarding distresses in comparison with other methods, ultrasonic evaluation with MIRA showed the best correlation with the destructive forensic studies showing the distress location and its depth (Hoegh et al [22]).…”

“…The signals are always reflected when an acoustic discontinuity takes place, which is defined as the interface between a medium wherein the impedance of the following medium is different. The acoustic impedance is a material property and is the product of sound velocity and material density (Vancura et al [21]). Figure 1 shows the device and compares its operating principle to the impact echo.…”

Short continuously reinforced concrete pavement design recommendations based on non-destructive ultrasonic data and stress simulation.

“…According Vancura et al (2013), low frequency wave (typically 50 kHz) allows the signal to navigate through the concrete despite the material heterogeneous characteristics. The signals are reflected once an acoustic discontinuity takes place, which is defined as the interface between a medium wherein the impedance of the following medium is different.…”

“…20 -Forensic evidence of delamination presence in a concrete slab(HOEGH et al, 2013) A combination of several studies, collected byVancura et al (2013) certifies MIRA results as seen inFigure 2.21 Hoegh et al (2011). andEdwards (2012) also found a high correlation between MIRA results and cores in concrete pavements as shown inFigure 2.22.Figure 2.…”

“…andEdwards (2012) also found a high correlation between MIRA results and cores in concrete pavements as shown inFigure 2.22.Figure 2. 21 -MIRA sensitivity analysis(VANCURA et al, 2013) Vancura et al (2013) was not conclusive on how many surveys should be made to correctly measure pavement thickness. But the authors stress that the core extraction every 300 mstandard proceduredoes not characterize the thickness in a section.…”