Non-contact rolling surface wave measurements on asphalt concrete

Abstract

Rolling surface wave measurements on a single, thin asphalt concrete (AC) layer are presented to investigate their use in rapid nondestructive field tests. An array of 47 micro-electro-mechanical sensor (MEMS) microphones is mounted on a trailer together with an automated impact source. Multichannel recordings from single impacts are obtained at 80 equally spaced array positions as the trailer moves at a constant speed. The complete battery-powered data acquisition system enables large-scale testing of newly built pavements. Multiple sets of test results show good repeatability for the assessed shear wave velocity and demonstrate the strong temperature dependency of AC. The presented results indicate a possible application for quality assurance of AC using rolling surface wave measurements.