Construction acceptance methods for concrete pavement based on seismic testing

Strength and slab thickness of Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements have been traditionally measured with destructive testing on molded specimens in the laboratory or samples (cores or beams) cut from concrete slabs in the field. This testing approach is time consuming, uneconomical and usually has high variability. Seismic nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques are emerging to overcome these shortcomings. However, construction acceptance methods and specifications based on these seismic NDT techniques do not exist yet.; This study attempts to fill this gap by developing percent-within-limit (PWL) pay adjustment schedules and sample size requirements for PCC seismic modulus and slab thickness obtained from seismic NDT. These results can be used to develop full construction and materials specifications for concrete pavement on the basis of the seismic NDT techniques. The pay schedules were developed based on statistical analyses and simulation of the FAA rigid airport pavement construction specifications (Item P-501 of FAA specifications). The sample size requirements were determined by conducting statistical analysis of sample size as a function of specifications tolerance, buyers risk, seller's risk, and the standard deviation of the test parameter under study.