Density is used as a measure for quality control of compaction of asphalt, concrete, soil, and aggregate layers in road construction. For in-place density measurements, nuclear gauges have been successfully used for decades because of the good measurement properties, such as precision and sensitivity of the nuclear technique. The technique is nondestructive and is a direct method for measuring density. The widespread use of nuclear gauges has been limited because of the nuclear regulatory requirements associated with the usage of radiation sources.
To overcome this limitation, in 2016, a nuclear gauge using a low-activity radiation source and a high-efficiency detector was developed. This gauge used mostly for compaction testing of soil and aggregate layers and is exempt from the nuclear regulatory requirements in the United States. Using similar technology, a new nuclear gauge was developed recently to measure density of asphalt and concrete layers in addition to soil and aggregate layers. This gauge is also exempt from the nuclear regulatory requirements in the United States. The new gauge has the option of using a separate probe based on an electromagnetic method for measuring the moisture content of soils and aggregates. This paper presents the design features, measurement properties, and safety aspects of the new nuclear gauge and its associated moisture probe. Comparison of the new low-activity nuclear gauge and a conventional nuclear gauge for measurement of density of asphalt layers, and density and moisture of soil and aggregate layers of thickness up to 30-cm (12-in.) are also presented.
A New Low-Activity Nuclear Density Gauge for Compaction Control of Asphalt, Concrete, Soil, and Aggregate Layers in Road Construction
Sustain. Civil Infrastruct.
International Road Federation World Meeting & Exhibition ; 2021 ; Dubai, United Arab Emirates November 07, 2021 - November 10, 2021
2022-04-21
16 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
Soil Stiffness Gauge for Soil Compaction Control
Online Contents | 1998
|Evaluation of a Thin Lift Nuclear Density Gauge for Asphalt Pavement Construction
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1992
|DEM simulation of asphalt concrete compaction
TIBKAT | 2000
|Soil Stiffness Gauge for Soil Compaction Control Scott Fiedler
British Library Online Contents | 1998
|