COMPARATIVE ACCURACY OF IN-SITU NUCLEAR DENSITY TESTING
Many engineers, who are accustomed to conventional density testing, cannot easily adopt the nuclear method, assuming, without proof, that the accuracy of the conventional testing is higher. This paper presents comparative analysis for evaluation of the accuracy of in-situ nuclear density and moisture content testing. Conventional sand-cone and oven-drying tests, as well as tests with different variations of nuclear gauge readings, were performed on trial sections during construction of highway and airport pavements. The results reflected typical subgrade, subbase and basecourse materials. Statistical analysis was applied to both methods for each testing and site combination. The accuracy and repeatability of results are discussed and compared. The material presented cannot lead to the unequivocal conclusion that the nuclear method for density and moisture content measurement is more accurate than the conventional, since in the sand-cone and oven-drying test it is impossible to repeat the test at the same point location but only at an adjacent point. This leads of course to a natural variability because of material composition and processing. On the other hand, it is quite obvious that repeatability in nuclear testing is quite high and fully justifies its practical use. As a result of the speed and ease of nuclear testing, it is preferable to increase its accuracy and reliability by performing a number of tests at the same location or hole. In addition, for the same reason, it is suggested that the average of three readings be taken after rotating the gauge by 120 degrees. The above findings and conclusions were fully verified by the analysis of extensive field density testing performed during the quality control of the construction of Ouvda and Ramon airports in southern Israel. (Author/TRRL)
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00465828
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Corporate Authors:
Southeast Asian Society of Soil Engineering
P.O. Box 2754
Bangkok, Thailand -
Authors:
- ISHAI, I
- Liuneh, M
- Publication Date: 1983-6
Media Info
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: p. 1-21
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Serial:
- GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
- Volume: 14
- Issue Number: 1
- Publisher: SOUTHEAST ASIAN GEOTECHNICAL SOCIETY
- ISSN: 0046-5828
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Accuracy; Alternatives analysis; Backscattering; Base course (Pavements); Density; Embankments; Evaluation and assessment; Field tests; Moisture content; Nuclear gauges; Nuclear tests; Oven drying; Subgrade (Pavements); Test procedures
- Uncontrolled Terms: Comparative analysis
- Old TRIS Terms: In place moisture content; Insitu methods; Sand cone density test
- ITRD Terms: 6160: Back scattering apparatus; 5908: Density; 2801: Embankment; 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 6226: In situ; 5920: Moisture content; 2961: Roadbase; 2950: Subgrade; 6288: Test method
- Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; I51: Earthworks and Soil Drainage; I52: Construction of Pavements and Surfacings;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00386068
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
- Files: ITRD, TRIS
- Created Date: Jul 30 1984 12:00AM