RES2020-08: Evaluation of traffic speed deflectometer for collecting network-level pavement structural data in Tennessee

The Traffic Speed Deflectometer (TSD) overcomes the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) limitations in terms of traffic interruption and testing inefficiency, which has been used for network-level pavement structural evaluation. However, some challenges exist as applying the TSD for routine survey works. A comparison of pavement response under the TSD and FWD is required to verify the applicability and substitutability of the TSD. In addition, the accuracy and precision of TSD measurements can be affected by several internal and external factors. This research project investigated the effect of load magnitude, test temperature, and test speed on TSD deflections, and a practical guideline for TSD data correction was provided. A new approach to determine the effective SN with TSD measurements was developed by modifying the AASHTO method. The possibility of estimating pavement fatigue conditions from TSD deflection lag was also evaluated. Results showed that the TSD deflection could be used to identify not only structurally weak sections, but also structurally weak layers. The loading frequency of the TSD is lower than that of the FWD, and the AC layer exhibits lower stiffness under the TSD. The lag distance increases with increasing fatigue levels. For the same road section (with the same pavement structure), the lag distance can indicate the initiation and growth of fatigue cracks in pavements.

• Record URL:
  https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/long-range-planning/research/final-reports/2020-final-reports-and-summaries/RES2020-08_Final_Report_Approved.pdf

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $344318
• Contract Numbers:

  40100-07219

  RES2020-08

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Tennessee Department of Transportation

  James K. Polk Building
  Fifth and Deaderick Street
  Nashville, TN  United States  37243-0349
• Managing Organizations:

  Tennessee Department of Transportation

  James K. Polk Building
  Fifth and Deaderick Street
  Nashville, TN  United States  37243-0349
• Project Managers:

  Jonas-Fields, Stephanie

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  Knoxville, TN  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Huang, Baoshan

• Start Date: 20190701
• Expected Completion Date: 20220531
• Actual Completion Date: 20220531
• USDOT Program: Transportation, Planning, Research, and Development

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data collection; Deflection; Deflectometers; Pavement performance
• Geographic Terms: Tennessee
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01744173
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Tennessee Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 40100-07219, RES2020-08
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 26 2020 3:12PM