Improving construction quality of pavement geomaterial layers using intelligent compaction data

Jorge Alberto Beltran Valenzuela, University of Texas at El Paso

Abstract

The nuclear density gauge (NDG) is the current tool for field compaction quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) for soil and base layers in the state of Texas. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) uses this nondestructive testing (NDT) device to determine the compacted density and moisture content of earthwork and unbound aggregates. However, to provide the missing link between design and quality management parameters, an alternative stiffness-based approach would be more desirable. Intelligent Compaction (IC) is defined as continuous assessment of mechanistic soil properties (stiffness, modulus) through roller parameters (frequency, amplitude and speed) integrated with global positioning system (GPS) to provide a complete compaction and geographic information. TxDOT has currently defined proof mapping with an IC roller as an approximate way of assessing the uniformity of the compacted geomaterial. IC rollers can identify less stiff areas and significantly improve uniformity of compaction. A rigorous analysis of IC data was carried out to evaluate the compaction quality management of unbound pavement layers in the state of Texas.

Subject Area

Civil engineering

Recommended Citation

Beltran Valenzuela, Jorge Alberto, "Improving construction quality of pavement geomaterial layers using intelligent compaction data" (2016). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI10151240.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI10151240

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