Determination of asphalt pavement layers density and air voids content using ground penetrating radar

Abstract

The optimum air voids content and density of asphalt pavement are among the main indicators of the durability of asphalt road pavement. The asphalt pavement layers with insufficient density are less resistant to traffic loading and the damaging water effects. Air voids ensure the durability of asphalt pavement layers and the accumulation of free bitumen during a period of hot weather. At present, the main method to control the quality of compaction and the content of air voids is to drill cores and then test them in the laboratory. This method is time-consuming, expensive, it damages the road surface and the quality of asphalt pavement is verified only at several points. With the rapid development of new technologies, it is necessary to evaluate and to apply innovative nondestructive methods, such as Ground Penetrating Radar, allowing us to determine the qualitative characteristics of asphalt pavement across the entire length of the road without causing the damage to the road surface and at lower costs. In order to apply this innovative method in Lithuania, it is necessary to conduct research that would justify the reliability of the method, to perform tests under the existing conditions and to choose the most suitable mathematical model that would guarantee the accuracy and reliability of measurements.