Innovative Tools for Highway Construction Quality Control

Abstract

Conventional sand cone test for density measurement is time consuming and cumbersome. The practical use of nuclear moisture-density gauge becomes increasingly problematic. Such nuclear method is considered a safety issue and is subjected to strict environmental regulations.  It also requires certified operator with specialized training. Currently, several innovative tools have been developed and introduced to the market. They are portable, non-nuclear, and capable of rapidly measuring in-place stiffness, strength, density, and moisture content of compacted pavement materials. The implementation of innovative tools, e.g. the Soil Stiffness Gauge, the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer, the Soil Density Gauge etc., for construction quality control of highway earthwork in Thailand is anticipated to (1) increase test coverage, (2) improve statistical evaluation, and (3) reduce compaction variability, thus ensure structural uniformity during construction.