Pavement Integrity Assessed by Leaky Surface Waves with Wave Group Interpretation

Abstract

The structural integrity of pavement is the key to keeping motorists safe and comfortable while driving on roads. Failure to maintain structural integrity of pavement results in traffic disruptions and even causes havoc on cars and pedestrians alike. In this paper, an imaging technique for structural integrity of a concrete pavement was proposed to minimize time and effort required for the assessment of structural integrity. The proposed technique was established using air-coupled microphones in spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW) tests and interpreting wave groups for pavement integrity. Interpretation of wave groups was based on the findings from the finite-element analysis of surface-wave propagation in pavements with a vertical crack. The analysis incorporated in the technique allows evaluation of pavement thickness, surface-opening crack depth, and lateral integrity variation. The validity of the proposed technique was verified using field applications at a test section of the continuous reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) of JoongBu Naeryuk Expressway in Korea.