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True Road Surface Deflection Measuring Device

What Was the Need?

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is one of the leading agencies in using deflection data as well as developing and implementing devices to measure pavement deflections. Two recent examples of TxDOT-sponsored device development are the Rolling Dynamic Deflectometer (RDD) and the Total Pavement Acceptance Device (TPAD).

While these two devices have extensively demonstrated their usefulness and capabilities, they do not measure pavement deflection under a standard axle load and they operate at low speeds. While they provide a deflection measure that can be used to assess pavement condition, it cannot be used for backcalculation of layer moduli and rehabilitation design.

What's the Solution?

This research project created a laser sensor system capable of capturing pavement deflections under a moving vehicle under different loads and speeds. The deflections match closely those captured by the reference device.

Research Benefits

The surface deflection of a pavement structure is an important property that can be used to address many TxDOT needs: 1) measurement of road condition, 2) early indication of pavement deterioration, and 3) input for layer moduli backcalculation. Therefore, a system that can allow TxDOT to measure surface pavement deflections without the need to close the highway to traffic yields multiple benefits. For example, the Maintenance Division would be able to use this device to determine the condition of the pavement and use this information in Pavement Analyst to better manage the state’s highway network and to make better informed maintenance and rehabilitation decisions. This information would directly support the 4-Year Plan.

Project Number

0-6873

Status

Completed

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Project Details

Start Date

4/8/2015

Renewal date

8/31/2016

End Date

8/31/2019

Performing Institution(s)

Center for Transportation Research (CTR)

Research Team

RS: Jorge Prozzi

Sponsor

Project Manager

Wade Odell

Contract Specialist

Barbara Davenport

Amount Funded

FY15: $489,501
FY16: $458,623
FY17: $796,311
FY18: $727,223
FY19: $438,835

Notes

Innovative Research
The Work conducted in this research project was for Phase 1 only.

Publications from this Project

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Functional Area

Construction and Maintenance

Index Terms

Deflection
Instruments for measuring deformation or deflection
Nondestructive tests
Pavements
Roughness
Texture
Accelerometers
Bluetooth technology

Lead University

CTR

Researcher

Prozzi, Jorge Alberto

Geographic name

Austin, Tex.

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Record Added:

5/21/2015

Record Updated:

1/25/2022 5:35 AM EST

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