United States Department of Transportation
i
Spotlight on Pavement Density: Use of Dielectric Profiling Systems for Asphalt Density
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2020-07-01
[PDF-4.29 MB]
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Abstract:Highway agencies seeking a more viable way to check the quality of asphalt construction than through sample cores are considering dielectric profiling systems (DPS) as a solution. DPS use a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to collect dielectric values from the underlying surface that help measure air voids or nonuniformity of newly laid hot-mix asphalt. In this way, a DPS unit rolled along a road segment can collect continuous data on asphalt density. Asphalt density is a key indicator for long-term performance of new pavement or resurfacing construction jobs. Improving pavement performance can extend maintenance cycles and save millions of dollars in transportation budgets. State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) have been field-testing DPS units in their pavement testing programs as a result of the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2) Initiative (R06C), which advanced the DPS technology as a nondestructive method for checking asphalt density. Says Stephen Cooper, Pavement Engineer in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Resource Center: “Several DOTs expressed a strong interest in this technology after completing SHRP2 R06C. FHWA and the Mobile Asphalt Technology Center are working with DOTs to serve as a bridge between research and implementation.” Some DOTs—such as Alaska, Maine, Minnesota, and Ohio—observe that DPS data produces a more uniform and immediate picture of a new pavement layer than obtaining sample cores at random spots along a new section.
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