Practical Application of GPR to Supplement Data from FWD for Quick Pavement Performance Prediction

Conventional geotechnical investigation and laboratory testing will provide material related information for pavement evaluation. A number of road agencies are using the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) to supplement the data from the geotechnical investigation. The FWD load/deflection testing provides information on structural capacity of the entire pavement structure, as well as a basis to determine the condition of particular pavement layers. However, an extensive coring/drilling program is required to determine the existing pavement structure for pavement rehabilitation design. The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is used to measure a continuous profile of pavement layers and identify areas of poor condition in the pavement structure. This information is also be used to improve the accuracy of FWD analysis. The GPR survey combined with the FWD testing and borehole and coring investigation form a comprehensive pavement condition/structure package. This package can be used for a quick pavement performance prediction at the rehabilitation design, repair or post construction stage.