Enhanced Sensing and Data Processing System for Continuous Profiling of Pavement Deflection

Abstract

Continuous pavement deflection profiling in a nondestructive manner has received great attention because of its efficiency in pavement evaluation. The Rolling Dynamic Deflectometer (RDD) is a continuous pavement deflection profiling technology and has demonstrated its successful use at many pavement projects. However, RDD’s current test speed of 1.6 km/h (with the prototype rolling sensor) often limits its use in large-coverage projects and traffic congested areas. Increasing the test speed creates a higher-noise environment, lowered signal-to-noise ratio, and sensor decoupling with the ground surface. This study presents the enhancement to the RDD for increased test speed, associated with the new design of the lower-level rolling sensor and higher-performance digital filter and data processing. The new sensor along with the enhanced data processing could increase the spatial resolution of the deflection data, which allows the increase of the test speed of the RDD.

Signal Denoising of Traffic Speed Deflectometer Measurement Based on Partial Swarm Optimization–Variational Mode Decomposition Method

“…In the UK, traffic speed deflectometer (TSD) measurements are often averaged to a predetermined length as a denoising strategy, albeit subjectively, potentially resulting in the loss of meaningful information [5]. Similarly, the rolling wheel deflectometer employs moving average techniques to mitigate rolling noise [6]. Katicha et al introduced a smoothing spline regression method to estimate true deflection slope in TSD deflection slope measurements [7].…”

Assessment of pavement deflection under vehicle loads using a 3D-DIC system in the field

“…In field tests, there are three typical methods of deflection measurement: static load-based deflectometer, which provides the maximum deflection under a static load 14 ; stationary dynamic impact deflection measurement, as the falling weight deflectometer (FWD) 15 ; and moving dynamic deflection measurement, e.g. the laser dynamic deflectometer (LDD), which captures the deflection along a line on the pavement as the vehicule moves 16 , 17 .…”

“…19 , 20 . The FWD is the accepted worldwide standard 15 , 21 . It is mounted in a vehicle that must be stationary to perform a test at the desired location 20 .…”

“…However, FWDs also have drawbacks; their stationary operating mode limits the coverage of a test site in a given time, and interruptions due to stop-and-go operations can disturb traffic and cause hazardous conditions. To continuously measure pavement deflections at higher speeds, extensive efforts have been carried out over the past decades to develop methods using moving vehicular loads and continuous profiling devices 15 . Some of both stationary dynamic loading 27 and moving dynamic loading devices 15 adopted the test principle of the Benkelman beam test.…”

“…To continuously measure pavement deflections at higher speeds, extensive efforts have been carried out over the past decades to develop methods using moving vehicular loads and continuous profiling devices 15 . Some of both stationary dynamic loading 27 and moving dynamic loading devices 15 adopted the test principle of the Benkelman beam test. Some examples are the traffic speed deflectometer (TSD) 28 , 29 , rolling weight deflectometer (RWD) 30 , 31 , rolling dynamic deflectometer (RDD) 32 , 33 , and road deflectometer (RDT) 34 .…”