Cho, Y; Wang, C and Zhuang, Z (2013) Framework for empirical process to improve nonnuclear gauge performance in hot-mix asphalt pavement construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 139(6), pp. 601-610. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Nuclear technology has long been used as a nondestructive method to measure the density of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) during pavement construction. Due to nuclear technology's high costs and intense regulations associated with safety and security, several researchers have introduced and evaluated nonnuclear technologies for measurement purposes. However, no proven evidence has emerged that nonnuclear gauges can replace nuclear gauges when quality assurance (QA) is considered. Thus, this study developed a framework for an empirical process to improve nonnuclear gauge performance for use in QA and for improving the current quality control (QC) process. Data were collected by coring using a nuclear gauge and using a nonnuclear gauge from 13 HMA paving construction sites over 2 years. A new calibration method was developed for nonnuclear density gauges. The research results reveal that the proposed framework can improve the accuracy of nonnuclear gauges, which can be used for QC and QA of HMA pavement during construction. In addition, nonnuclear gauges showed significant cost savings compared to nuclear gauges from a life-cycle cost analysis.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | density; hot-mix asphalt; nonnuclear gauge; nuclear gauge; pavement construction; quality assurance; quality control |
| Index terms: | density, pavement construction, cost saving, quality control, paving, asphalt pavement, cost analysis, quality assurance, accuracy, construction site, evidence, regulation |
| Subjects: | economics, infrastructure engineering, professional development, infrastructure and transport systems, political science, transportation engineering, quality assurance, evaluation and assessment methods, work location, project delivery, financial and cost management, analytical methods |
| Topics: | Governance, Cost Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Site Management, Urban Studies, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here