Rut Depth Measurement Method and Analysis at the FAA's National Airport Pavement Test Facility

The FAA developed and modified a truss profiler, which is independent of pavement profiles, that is used to monitor rutting of flexible pavements at the National Airport Pavement Test Facility (NAPTF). The truss profiler was developed to replace the more labor-intensive and time-consuming straightedge measurements. Transverse profiles corresponding to the cumulative number of load repetitions applied during traffic tests were measured using a laser displacement sensor mounted and running on a customized 20 m (66 ft.)-long aluminum truss. The profiler is capable of measuring ruts caused by 10-wheel aircraft gear configurations having dual-wheel spacing of 137 cm (54 in.) in two traffic lanes. Maximum transverse measuring width is 18.3 m (60 ft.) and upheaval outside the wheel track areas is included in all rutting measurements. The profiles reported in this paper were measured on a flexible pavement test track with a single 12-ft.-wide traffic lane. The collected profile data was processed using an FAA developed computer program to calculate the maximum rut depth, upheaval, and straightedge-simulated rut depth measured relative to the initial transverse (baseline) profiles. Trafficked profiles were shifted vertically (and/or horizontally), and rotated to compensate for differences in the setup of the profiler. The method of rut depth measurement is presented and the accuracy of the profiler is reviewed. Possible errors in measurements such as truss fluctuations in temperature, structural curvature, and cross slope of the pavement are identified. Detailed descriptions of the adjustment methods used to correct for the identified errors are presented. The geometric changes of the transverse profiles are shown with increasing number of load repetitions superimposed on the untrafficked baseline profiles. Analysis of the profiles shows the effects of lateral wander, loading induced stress, and tire pressure on a Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) pavement surface layer. The processed rutting performance data obtained from the NAPTF test pavements are presented and discussed. Specific discussions include characterization of HMA failures showing tertiary flows from the collected data.

• Record URL:
  http://www.crcnetbase.com/doi/pdf/10.1201/b13000-20
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780415621380
• Corporate Authors:

  CRC Press

  6000 Broken Sound Parkway, NW, Suite 300
  Boca Raton, FL  United States  33487
• Authors:
  • Song, I
  • Aponte, R
  • Hayhoe, G
• Conference:
  • 4th International Conference on Accelerated Pavement Testing
  • Location: Davis CA, United States
  • Date: 2012-9-19 to 2012-9-21
• Publication Date: 2012

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 133-139
• Monograph Title: Advances in Pavement Design through Full-scale Accelerated Pavement Testing

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airport runways; Deformation; Depth; Laser beams; Measurement; Ruts (Pavements)
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01456507
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• ISBN: 9780415621380
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 7 2012 9:58AM