Effective Instrumentation Plan and Analysis Methodology for Full-Scale Field Tests of Concrete Pavements

Abstract

This study focused on the development of an effective methodology for instrumentation and data analysis to more accurately measure and to assess strain profiles from full-scale test slabs in consideration of the effects of localized traffic wander and missing data within an array of sensors. An effective instrumentation plan and analysis methodology were identified, and their applicability was evaluated using analytical results and a full-scale field experiment. The results indicated that sensor spacing significantly affected maximum strains interpolated, and load-induced strain profiles from strain gauges were highly influenced by localized wheel wander. The accuracy of predicted maximum strain was not affected by one missing data point; however, it would be greatly reduced if data from two sensors at the center of the array were missed. An array of uniformly spaced six gauges with 15 cm (6 in.) intervals around the wheel path was used and an interpolation methodology was developed to accurately capture the load-induced maximum strain based on strain profiles obtained from a full-scale concrete slab, taking into account the effects of localized traffic wander and missing data.