MOISTURE CONTENT DETERMINATION OF UNBOUND AND SUBGRADE MATERIALS IN A PAVEMENT STRUCTURE

This paper outlines a method recently developed and used to determine the moisture content in the unbound and subgrade materials of the pavement structure accurately. This method is based on the application of the time-domain reflectometry (TDR) technique. It has demonstrated to be a viable method for determining moisture content both in the laboratory and at the test site. Its responses in uniformly and non-uniformly wet unbound and subgrade materials have been examined both theoretically and experimentally herein. An extensive set of experiments were performed in a controlled laboratory test facility, which permitted the synthesis of steep moisture gradients and wetting fronts. Measurements of moisture content were also taken from in-service test sites, with the aid of probes installed in-situ in the pavement layers. Comparisons with conventional methods of determining moisture content were examined side-by-side and presented. The moisture content measured using the TDR technique was found to be the same as the average moisture content, even in extremely non-uniform conditions. In addition, the measurements obtained from this technique is also independent of temperature variations, thus eliminating the need for any temperature compensation. Application of this technique in long-term moisture condition monitoring of pavement structures is also discussed.

• Corporate Authors:

  Minnesota Department of Transportation

  395 John Ireland Boulevard
  St Paul, MN  United States  55155
• Authors:
  • Pooh, P
• Conference:
  • 4th International Conference, Bearing Capacity of Roads and Airfields
  • Location: Minneapolis, MN
  • Date: 1994-8-17 to 1994-8-21
• Publication Date: 1994

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 807-825
• Serial:
  • Volume: 1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Field tests; Laboratory tests; Measurement; Moisture content; Pavement layers; Subgrade materials; Tests; Time domain reflectometers
• Uncontrolled Terms: Pavement structure; Unbound
• Old TRIS Terms: Determination; Test sites
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00730090
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Nov 27 1997 12:00AM