Innovative non destructive test method for condition assessment of longitudinal joints in asphalt pavements

Zhiyong Jiang, Joseph Ponniah, Giovanni Cascante

In the proceedings of: GEO2011: 64th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, 14th Pan-American Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 5th Pan-American Conference on Teaching and Learning of Geotechnical Engineering

Session: In Situ Testing

ABSTRACT: Poor-quality longitudinal construction joints often contribute to the poor performance of hot mix asphalt pavements. Previously, destructive and time consuming methods were used to assess longitudinal joints. The nuclear gauge is currently used to measure density to ensure good compaction but it is not used to assess the quality of longitudinal joints. The joint quality depends not only on the compaction but also on the bond strength among particles. Therefore, an innovative non-destructive technique has been developed; which is based on the use of ultrasonic surface waves. The sensitivity of different signal processing techniques to detect changes in the condition of longitudinal joints was studied in detail. The results revealed that the new transmission wavelet coefficient (WTC) is a promising technique for the non-destructive evaluation of asphalt pavements. Field tests on three different highway sections (deteriorated, new echelon paved, and new conventionally paved joints) showed WTC values less than 15%, between 50% and 61 %, and, higher than 100% for deteriorated, conventional, and echelon paved joints, respectively. Resumen La mala calidad de juntas longitudinales de construcción a menudo contribuye al mal desempeño de pavimentos asfalticos de mezcla caliente. Anteriormente, métodos destructivos y lentos se utilizaron para evaluar las juntas longitudinales. La prueba nuclear se utiliza actualmente para medir la densidad y asegurar una buena compactación, pero no se utiliza para evaluar la calidad de las juntas. La calidad de la junta no sólo depende de la compactación, sino también en la fuerza de adhesión entre las partículas. Por lo tanto, una nueva técnica no-destructiva se ha desarrollado, la cual utiliza las ondas de ultrasonido de superficie. La sensibilidad de varias técnicas de procesamiento de señales a cambios en el estado de las juntas longitudinales se estudió en detalle. Los resultados revelaron que el nuevo coeficiente de transmisión wavelet (WTC) es una técnica prometedora para la evaluación no destructiva de los pavimentos de asfalto. Pruebas de campo en tres secciones de una autopista (deteriorada, de construcción convencional, y nuevas de construcción escalonada) mostraron valores de WTC inferiores al 15%, entre 50% y 61%, y superior al 100% para las juntas deterioradas, de construcción convencional, de construcción escalonada, respectivamente.

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Cite this article:
Zhiyong Jiang; Joseph Ponniah; Giovanni Cascante (2011) Innovative non destructive test method for condition assessment of longitudinal joints in asphalt pavements in GEO2011. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Geotechnical Society.

@article{GEO11Paper914,author = Zhiyong Jiang; Joseph Ponniah; Giovanni Cascante ,title = Innovative non destructive test method for condition assessment of longitudinal joints in asphalt pavements,year = 2011}