IMPULSE INDEX AS A MEASURE OF PAVEMENT CONDITION

A rapid method of measurement of pavement structural condition has been developed that is adaptable to automatic data acquisition from a moving vehicle and yields numerical data suitable for computer manipulation. A hand-carried version has been developed that measures parameters indicative of structural condition and computes an evaluating number called the impulse index. To determine the impulse index, an impulse of energy is delivered to the pavement with a hammer blow. Two transducers are used to monitor the acceleration of the pavement very close to the impact point and the attenuation of the energy as it progagates through the pavement. The outputs of the accelerometers are manipulated electronically to compute the impulse index. Comparisons of Benkelman beam deflections and impulse index measurements for the same locations on a wide variety of types of pavement and pavement conditions are presented in graphical form for easy comparison. A high degree of correlation was found between the impulse index and Benkelman beam deflections. This impulse index is much faster to obtain and requires only lightweight, highly portable equipment. /Author/

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1976/602/602-016.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=IMPULSE+INDEX+AS+A+MEASURE+OF+PAVEMENT+CONDITION&author=F.+Brands&author=J.+Cook&publication_year=1976
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309220710
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Pavement Condition Evaluation. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Brands, Frank W
  • Cook, John C
• Publication Date: 1976

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 84-89
• Monograph Title: Pavement design, evaluation and performance
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 602
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accelerometers; Automation; Benkelman beam; Data collection; Impulse tests; Measurement; Monitoring; Pavements; Structures; Transducers
• Uncontrolled Terms: Monitors
• Old TRIS Terms: Impulse testing
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00156009
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309220710
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Aug 15 1977 12:00AM