In-situ spot test measurements and ICMVs for asphalt pavement: lack of correlations and the effect of underlying support

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this paper is to analyse the performance of different intelligent compaction measurement values (ICMVs) and compare them with spot test measurements for asphalt pavement. To accomplish this, a two-layer asphalt testbed was constructed using an instrumented double-drum roller. All ICMVs [compaction meter value ($CMV$), compaction control value ($CCV$), roller-integrated stiffness ($k_b$), and vibratory modulus ($E_{VIB}$)] were calculated using the same accelerometer data collected during the construction of the asphalt testbed. The analysis of ICMV data showed a strong correlation between $k_b$ and $E_{VIB}$, while $CMV$ and $CCV$ demonstrated a strong correlation only when double jump of the roller drum did not occur. Further, none of the ICMVs recorded during the last roller pass of asphalt compaction showed an acceptable correlation with asphalt densities [measured using a non-nuclear density gauge (NNDG)], mainly due to the influences of the underlying support and asphalt temperature on ICMVs. A correction method to decouple the influence of underlying support on $E_{VIB}$ was developed and validated using existing data from the literature. The applicability of this method for different field scenarios was demonstrated using numerical modelling.

KEYWORDS:

• Intelligent compaction
• asphalt pavements
• intelligent compaction measurement value
• underlying support correction
• phase angle
• non-nuclear density gauge
• lightweight deflectometer

Acknowledgements

This research work is part of a research project (Project number: IH18.05.1) sponsored by the SPARC Hub (https://sparchub.org.au) in the Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Research Hub (ITRH) Scheme (Project ID: IH180100010). This research work is also financially supported by the Postgraduate Publications Award granted by the Monash University, Australia. The financial and in-kind support of the Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA), Department of Transport (DoT), Victoria, and Monash University is gratefully acknowledged. The financial support of ARC is also gratefully acknowledged. The in-kind support of Motorway Technologies Pty Ltd (which provided a non-nuclear density gauge), SITECH Construction Systems Pty Ltd (which provided an IC retrofit kit), Trimble Inc. (which provided IC-related technical advice), and the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB), which provided the site is greatly appreciated.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Research Hub (ITRH) Scheme [grant no IH180100010].