01158042

Component

A survey of all U.S. state and Canadian provincial departments of transportation (DOTs) was conducted to gather information about current practices related to acceptance of bituminous mixtures based on field density measurements. The objective of this paper was to document and synthesize the current methods used by each DOT and determine its perspective on the current/future use of nonnuclear gauges. A total of 34 responses were received. In addition, an Internet search was performed to determine the methods used by those U.S. state DOTs that did not respond. Four in-situ bituminous mixture density measurement methods were identified through the survey: collection of cores/plugs only, nuclear density gauges only, nuclear density gauges plus cores/plugs, and nuclear/nonnuclear density gauges plus cores/plugs. In-place core density measurements were found to be the most common method for accepting density. Some regional trends were observed in the responses. More than 50% of the respondents have investigated the use of nonnuclear density gauges. Responses from states that use nonnuclear gauges were grouped together and compared to identify common factors in allowing these gauges. Two important conclusions can be drawn from this study: (1) given the variation in responses, some of which were contrary to published research, there is a need for a coordinated national study investigating the methods used to determine and accept in-situ bituminous mixture density, and (2) there is a general interest in employing nonnuclear technologies for bituminous mixture density acceptance.

01147878

10-2399

English

14p

2010

Transportation Research Board 89th Annual Meeting

DVD

Figures (5) ; Maps (1) ; References (19) ; Tables (1)

Bituminous materials; Bituminous pavements; Field density; Mix design; Nuclear density gages; State departments of transportation; Testing equipment

Highways; Materials; Pavements; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials; I52: Construction of Pavements and Surfacings

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2010 Paper #10-2399

TRIS, TRB

Jan 25 2010 11:07AM