Network-Level Pavement Evaluation of Virginia's Interstate System Using the Falling Weight Deflectometer

摘要

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) currently uses the results of automated surface distress surveys to assist in developing pavement maintenance strategies for its interstate and primary roadways. Totaling nearly 27,000 lanemiles, these roadways consist of flexible, rigid, and composite (flexible over rigid) pavements. These video-based surface distress data consist of quantities of distress that is visible in the pavement surface; however, no information regarding the actual structural capacity of the pavement system on a network level is currently available. This study describes the processes and presents the results of a network-level survey conducted on Virginias interstate system using the falling weight deflectometer (FWD). The data obtained from this study can be used by pavement engineers to determine the structural capacity of the interstate network and to develop condition forecasting tools to assist with determining future structural conditions. Similar network surveys have been performed by the Kansas, Texas, New Jersey, Indiana, and Oklahoma departments of transportation.