Non-invasive Imaging and Assessment of Pavements

Missouri S&T Geological Engineering Program

Neil Anderson
Professor
Missouri University of Science and Technology
129 McNutt Hall
Rolla, MO 65409
(573) 341-4852
nanders@mst.edu

Both graduate and undergraduate students will participate in the project.

The objective is to thoroughly assess the cost-effectiveness and utility of non-invasive technologies identified as applicable to paved roadways. The intent is to develop a guidance document focused on the utility and cost-effectiveness of project-applicable and network-applicable non-invasive imaging technologies. The optimal utilization of appropriate non-invasive imaging technologies will result in more accurate pavement assessments at significantly reduced costs.

Specific objectives include:

• Assessment of the utility and cost-effectiveness of tested network-applicable non-invasive imaging tools based, in large part, on the analyses of data acquired along two designated roadways;

• Assessment of the utility and cost-effectiveness of tested project-applicable non-invasive imaging tools based, in large part, on the analyses of data acquired along eight designated roadways; and

• Development of a comprehensive guidance document including a matrix on what cost-effective site assessment technologies are applicable, how to employ them, and what site condition data can be obtained.

To rapidly and cost-effectively assess the condition of new and existing pavements, various non-invasive in situ data must be collected and interpreted. The extent and level of data needed depends on the type of pavement condition information sought (distress, structural capacity, or surface characteristics) and influences the type of assessment conducted (network-level or project-level).

The objective of the proposed research is to thoroughly assess, in part through network-level and project-level field studies, the non-invasive imaging technologies identified as applicable to roadways. The intent is to develop a guidance document focused on the utility and cost-effectiveness of identified project-applicable and network-applicable non-invasive imaging technologies. The guidance document will focus on when, where and how to use each tool.

The optimal utilization of appropriate non-invasive technologies will result in more accurate pavement assessments and significantly reduced costs. The tools to be tested can be applied to new pavements for quality control and quality assurance purposes, and can be used to assess existing pavements. The tools to be tested will generate reliable information about thicknesses, moisture content, and elastic moduli of pavement. Information can also be generated about the thickness, elastic moduli, clay content and moisture content of the soil.

Relationship to other Research/Projects

PI Anderson has two current related externally-funded research projects.  One project involves the acquisition of non-invasive imaging data on paved roadways; the other involves the acquisition of non-invasive imaging data on bridge decks.  This project is directly related to the paved roadway project in that the requested funds will be used to support the participation of a graduate research assistant.

Transportation-Related Keywords

Technology Transfer Activities

Results will be presented at national conference and published. The deliverables will include an evaluation of the utility of the electrical resistivity tomography method for mapping shallow water-filled voids and a discussion of the degree of resolution provided by the tool.

Project Deliverables

The deliverable will be a guidance document to support the use of cost-effective non-invasive imaging technologies on both project and network scales. The specific content of the document will include parameters measured, optimum acquisition parameters, optimum processing parameters, sampling interval, crew size, equipment costs, software costs, vehicle requirements, estimated daily cost, volume of data acquired per day, ease of data acquisition, ease of data processing, ease of data interpretation, reproducibility of interpretations, reliability of interpretations and cost-effectiveness recommendations for improvements to current site investigation and testing practices that can help achieve cost savings for pavement projects.

The results of this research will be presented at major conferences and as peer-reviewed journals articles.  Near the completion of this project, an article for the CTIS quarterly newsletter will be written and submitted to the Center, along with some photos of the project.  A poster will be created and printed for display in the High-Bay Structures Lab during lab tours.  If requested, this project will be presented during the CTIS Annual Conference.

Anticipated Benefits

The deliverable will be a guidance document to support the use of cost-effective non-invasive imaging technologies on both project and network scales. The specific content of the document will include parameters measured, optimum acquisition parameters, optimum processing parameters, sampling interval, crew size, equipment costs, software costs, vehicle requirements, estimated daily cost, volume of data acquired per day, ease of data acquisition, ease of data processing, ease of data interpretation, reproducibility of interpretations, reliability of interpretations and cost-effectiveness recommendations for improvements to current site investigation and testing practices that can help achieve cost savings. This document will provide the basis and data to establish the value of different non-invasive imaging technologies in various conditions.

Milestones