TxDOT Research Project

Assess Deflection-Based Field Testing for Project Acceptance

What Was the Need?
The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) current practice for field compaction quality control and acceptance for base, subbase and soil layers is to determine the compacted density by nuclear density gauge (NDG). TxDOT has also considered several stiffness-based devices to replace NDG because stiffness parameters are more relevant to pavement design. Since both density and stiffness measurements are spot tests, they cannot represent the quality and uniformity of compaction in a continuous manner.

What's the Solution?
A comprehensive database was assembled using the data collected at construction sites throughout Texas to evaluate whether relationships exist among ICMV and spot test deflection-based measurements. Though no direct relationships could be established, trends were identified that related those measurements. Those trends were used to propose a protocol of design verification and acceptance. The protocol is recommended for implementation to help TxDOT verify the uniformity and design stiffness of compacted pavement geomaterials during the construction process.

Research Benefits
With the implementation of the proposed specifications for design verification, TxDOT will be able to save significantly the rehabilitation and reconstruction costs due to premature failure of constructed highway pavements.

Project Number
0-6903
Status
Completed

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Start Date
1/16/2016
End Date
7/31/2018
Performing Institution(s)
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
Research Team
RS: Soheil Nazarian
Sponsor
Project Manager
Chris Glancy
Contract Specialist
Barbara Davenport
Amount Funded
FY16: $60,000
FY17: $155,500
FY18: $108,000
Notes
Project description based on published PSR.
Page:
Functional Area
Construction and Maintenance
Index Terms
Acceptance tests
Compaction
Falling weight deflectometers
Field tests
Nondestructive tests
Nuclear density gages
Pavement design
Quality control
Lead University
UTEP
Researcher
Nazarian, Soheil, 1955-
Geographic name
El Paso, Tex.

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Comments
Record Added:
5/2/2016
Record Updated:
7/22/2023 5:36 AM EDT

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