Quality Management of Earthworks with Deflection-Based Devices – 14 May 2020 Seminar
In-situ non-destructive testing (NDT) devices that estimate the stiffness parameters of a constructed pavement structure are emerging. Such stiffness parameters are more representative of the performance predicted by the mechanistic design process for both road and rail applications. A transformation from density-based to modulus- based quality assurance (QA) approach involves technical and organizational challenges that must be recognized and addressed in order to develop an efficient and practical specification. This presentation covered the different concepts for quality management during construction that can result in both construction benefits and improved performance of the earthworks / pavement based on Dr Nazarian’s extensive experience, along with brief presentations of recent ARTC Inland Rail experiences with trialling Light Weight Deflectometer equipment.
The presenters were:
- Prof. Soheil Nazarian (Professor of Civil Engineering – The University of Texas at El Paso)
- Andy Doe (Geotechnical Project Manager – Inland Rail at ARTC)
You can download the presentation slides and listen to the webinar recording. The presenters were kind enough to answer your questions.
Dr. Nazarian is the McIntosh Murchison Endowed Chair Professor of Civil Engineering and the Director of the Center for Transportation Infrastructure Systems at The University of Texas at El Paso. With more than 35 years of experience in non-destructive testing of transportation infrastructure, he is currently the Chair of the Geotechnical Instrumentation and Modelling Committee of the Transportation Research Board and on the Executive Board of the International Society of Intelligent Construction.
Andy Doe is a Geotechnical Project Manager for Inland Rail at ARTC, responsible for new technology implementation. Andy has over 20 years’ experience in civil infrastructure works and is a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland and a Chartered Geologist. Andy has carried out design, asset evaluation and geotechnical risk assessment for major infrastructure projects in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
We have found the PANDA to be an invaluable acquisition to our company, using it on projects ranging from Remote Community Housing in Central Australia to a NASA Rocket Launch Facility in Arnhem Land, NT.
The Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD) was first used in 1998 by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) at the Minnesota Road Research Project. Starting in 2005 the LWD has been used by Mn/DOT as an acceptance tool for the compaction of roadbed and miscellaneous embankment and trench construction, culvert treatments and other tapered construction.
That was really useful and informative yesterday – started a lot of discussion around here.
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