Use of NDT systems to investigate pavement reconstruction needs and improve maintenance treatment decision-making

ABSTRACT

The objective is to improve the accuracy of the test results and establish a maintenance treatment decision-making system using the non-destructive testing (NDT) technology. Firstly, the evaluation unit length was theoretically determined and statistically verified. Secondly, the test frequency of falling weight deflector (FWD) test was statistically analysed and the deflection acceptance criterionwas obtained based on the probability density distribution curve. Meanwhile, the relationship between the FWD deflection and the pavement internal damage obtained by drilling was analysed. Subsequently, the test parameters of the three-dimensional ground-penetrating radar (3D GPR) were optimised by using the non-reference image quality assessing technology. Followed, pavement internal damage index of GPR was proposed for locating the defect structural layer. Lastly, the decision-making systemwas established. Results showed that the suitable evaluation unit length is 20 m, the deflection test frequency is no more than 10 m/point, the deflection accept criterion is 29.5 (0.01 mm) with 95% reliability and the optimal detection parameters of GPR is 1 cm, 10 µs and 25 ns respectively. The established decision-making system fully considering the surface and the interior conditions as well as the functional and structural conditions can effectively guide the maintenance plan formulation for similar reconstruction and expansion projects.

KEYWORDS:

• Reconstruction needs
• NDT
• evaluation unit length
• deflection detection frequency
• deflection accept criterion
• internal damage index
• defect structural layer
• decision-making

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

Conceptualisation: Chunlong Xiong and Xiaoning Zhang; Data curation: Chunlong Xiong; Formal analysis: Chunlong Xiong and Jiangmiao Yu; Funding acquisition: Jiangmiao Yu; Investigation: Chunlong Xiong; Writing – original draft: Chunlong Xiong; Writing – review & editing: Chunlong Xiong and Jiangmiao Yu.

Additional information

Funding

The authors sincerely acknowledge the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC 51678251); the support of the Research Project of Guangdong Provincial Communications Group on Key Technology of Pavement Balanced Durability Design and Solid Waste Recycling; the support of South China University of Technology; the support of Xiaoning Roadway Institute of Engineering.

Notes on contributors

Chunlong Xiong

Chunlong Xiong, PhD student of road engineering in South China University of Technology and assistant researcher of road engineer of Xiaoning Institute of Roadway Engineering; Jiangmiao Yu, Professor of road engineering in South China University of Technology; Xiaoning Zhang, Professor of road engineering in South China University of Technology and the vice chairman of China Highway & Transportation Society.