Integration of FWD and GPR for Pavement Structural Analysis

Project Description

For more than 10 years, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has used both falling weight deflectometers (FWD) and ground penetrating radar (GPR) to provide structural information about its pavements. In the current approach, GPR data are processed independently of FWD analysis. However, combining the analyses of both systems can achieve substantial synergy.

Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) researchers and TxDOT personnel developed a new system for integrating and processing both GPR and FWD data. TxDOT personnel developed the integrated data acquisition system. TTI researchers developed the PAVECHECK program to integrate data processing and reporting. All of the critical data processing features of the current GPR and FWD data processing packages have been integrated into PAVECHECK, which also integrates digital video images with synchronized GPR and FWD data to document pavement surface conditions. Using these integrated tools, pavement engineers can more readily select homogeneous sections on which to perform structural evaluations.

TTI recommends that the PAVECHECK program be implemented statewide following proper evaluation of its effectiveness, revision (based on feedback from TxDOT engineers) of the program, and training on the program's use. Further, TTI recommends that TxDOT consider adding the results from the analysis of the PAVECHECK program to its Pavement Management Information System (PMIS); this content would essentially form the basis for a pavement layer database. The analysis results would also be available on demand to other engineers within TxDOT over time.

Project Publications

Integrating Deflection and Ground Penetrating Radar Data for Pavement Evaluation 0-4495-S

PAVECHECK: Integrating Deflection and Ground Penetrating Radar Data for Pavement Evaluation 0-4495-1

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