PROJECT LEVEL APPLICATION OF PORTABLE SEISMIC PAVEMENT ANALYZER

The Portable Seismic Pavement Analyzer (PSPA) is a nondestructive testing device that utilizes elastic wave propagation in an automated manner to identify a pavement's elastic properties, thickness, and possible flaws. The device combines three complementary wave propagation methods, impact-echo, ultrasonic body waves, and the Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves. The applications of PSPA include: determination of the thickness and elastic modulus of a pavement surface layer, delamination and debonding detection, and quality control/quality assurance of the pavement top layer material. In this paper, the application of PSPA as a tool for bridge deck delamination survey is presented. Three bridge decks in New Jersey were surveyed by PSPA, half-cell test, chain drag, sounding by hammer, chloride content test, and rebar cover measurements. All field tests were performed concurrently to minimize lane closure time. The tests progressed at a rate of 100 lane-feet (30.5 lane-meters) per hour. The results of the survey indicate that PSPA and chain dragging can complement each other. PSPA is capable of detecting various degrees of delamination/debonding, while chain drag proved to be very reliable in cases of severe delamination. PSPA is operated discontinuously (usually on a grid) while chain dragging provides continuous coverage. The half-cell test results showed some level of consistency with chain drag and PSPA results. All highly negative half-cell potentials were found to be delaminated areas, but not all delaminated areas exhibited highly negative potentials. No correlation could be established between chloride content results and other test results. These projects showed that PSPA in conjunction with chain drag and half-cell test can be successfully and economically used for delamination survey of bridge decks.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1566769493
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This entry in the TRIS database is made from the hardback copy of the conference proceedings, which are also available on CD-ROM.
• Corporate Authors:

  Technomic Publishing Company, Incorporated

  851 New Holland Avenue, Box 3535
  Lancaster, PA  United States  17604
• Authors:
  • Ganji, V
  • Tabrizi, K
  • Vittilo, N
• Conference:
  • Structural Materials Technology IV - An NDT Conference
  • Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey
  • Date: 2000-2-28 to 2000-3-3
• Publication Date: 2000

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 205-210

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Debonding; Delamination; Elastic waves; Field tests; Modulus of elasticity; Nondestructive tests; Pavements; Quality assurance; Quality control; Spectrum analysis; Surface course (Pavements); Thickness; Ultrasonic waves; Wave motion
• Candidate Terms: Impact echo tests; Spectral analysis of surface waves
• Uncontrolled Terms: Chain dragging; Half-cell tests; Portable seismic pavement analyzer
• Geographic Terms: New Jersey
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00793126
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 1566769493
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 5 2000 12:00AM