Nondestructive Evaluation of Compaction Uniformity in Epoxy Asphalt Pavements on Steel Bridge Decks Using PQI-380 Density Profiling
Abstract
To overcome the technical difficulties in evaluating the compaction homogeneity of epoxy asphalt (EA) pavement systems on orthotropic steel bridges, the PQI-380 served as a nondestructive tool for detecting density across the full cross-section of both the lower and upper EA pavement layers. By converting the density data into air void content, a complete cross-sectional air void map of the pavement was generated. This approach facilitated the rapid identification of regions with both adequate and inadequate compaction. The compaction uniformity was assessed through the mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation (CV) values of air voids. Results showed that regions with air void content exceeding 3 % were classified as noncompliant and prone to early water damage, requiring close monitoring. Additionally, a higher CV value indicated poorer compaction uniformity, with values greater than 24 % suggesting significant segregation within the mixture. In such cases, adjustments to the mix design and compaction plan were recommended. The integration of nondestructive testing with advanced data visualization enabled rapid (2 s per measurement) and comprehensive (full 19 m bridge deck width coverage) compaction assessment, successfully identifying inadequate compaction areas with compliance rates ranging from 68.8 % to 97.5 % across different segments.