Use of Non-Nuclear Devices for Quality Assurance

When constructing new transportation infrastructure or maintaining current infrastructure systems, achieving sufficient soil strength is critical to a successful construction effort. Currently, soil design specifications are given in terms of a minimum soil density and a specified range of soil moisture content. Quality control is achieved by monitoring the soil density and moisture content throughout the construction process. The Nuclear Density Gauge (NDG) is the most commonly employed device to determine soil density and moisture content due to its ease of use, speed of readings, and reliability of results. However, due to potential safety hazards and rigorous user certification requirements, many agencies are seeking to replace the NDG. The primary objective of this research project was to determine if the use of non-nuclear devices could replace the use of nuclear devices for quality control. The work plan was divided into five phases. Phase one included conducting a literary review on the use of non-nuclear devices for quality control. Phase two was the study of available non-nuclear devices. Phase three consisted of laboratory testing. Phase four is to evaluate, analyze, and compare data. Phase five is the implementation of non-nuclear devices if deemed necessary.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/TRC1301_Use_of_Non-Nuclear_Devices_for_Quality_Assurance.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department

  System Information and Research Division, P.O. Box 2261
  Little Rock, AR  United States  72203

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Stanley, Rick
• Publication Date: 2015-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: 13p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Instruments for measuring density; Laboratory tests; Literature reviews; Moisture content; Nuclear density gauges; Quality assurance; Quality control; Soil densification
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01731898
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TRC 1301
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 26 2020 9:14AM