Journal Published Online: 01 November 2018
Volume 47, Issue 3

A Potential Technology for Road Sinkhole Assessment: The Rolling Dynamic Deflectometer

CODEN: JTEVAB

Abstract

In urban areas, excessive underground construction, aging of underground infrastructures (e.g., water pipe leakage), or both, can create underground cavities that ultimately lead to subsidence and sudden road sinkholes. These road collapses have often been reported in metropolitan areas around the world. A quick and accurate in situ testing method is essential to prevent human life loss and damage to civil infrastructure. This article introduces potential technology for road sinkhole assessment that can continuously assess the road subsurface condition in a nondestructive manner. The Rolling Dynamic Deflectometer (RDD) is a continuous pavement deflection profiling device that evaluates the existing structural condition of pavements. As the RDD moves along the pavement, it dynamically loads the pavement, and multiple rolling sensors simultaneously measure the induced dynamic deflection of the pavement. With a soft subgrade or subsurface voids, the RDD deflection profile clearly shows peak deflections. Three RDD case studies that demonstrate its potential as a road sinkhole assessment tool are presented: (i) delineation of stiffer subgrade conditions, softer subgrade conditions, or both, along a runway, (ii) identification of areas with poor subgrade soils, and (iii) detection of subsurface voids (or anomalies) along with ground-penetrating radar.

Author Information

Nam, Boo Hyun
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
Stokoe II, Kenneth H.
Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
Cho, Byoung Hooi
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
Kim, Yong Je
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
Youn, Heejung
School of Urban and Civil Engineering, Hongik University, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Pages: 19
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: JTE20180003
ISSN: 0090-3973
DOI: 10.1520/JTE20180003