This is a guest blog by Emil G. Bautista
In my previous article on non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies for pavements, I highlighted the importance of such technologies during and after the construction of highways. Engineers and technicians are relying more on non-destructive test (NDT) methods to evaluate the characteristics, quality, and performance of the materials used in constructing the different layers of the pavement system because it is a highly valuable technique that can save both money and time in pavement material and layers evaluation, troubleshooting, and research. Decisions related to pavement quality control and assurance are traditionally based on destructive sampling methods of limited coverage, such as coring, that represent significantly less than 1% of the in-service pavement.
Because NDT does not permanently alter the area being inspected, conducting the test is non-destructive in nature. This helps reduce any cost and time increase needed to evaluate in-situ materials due to an alteration of the materials or pavement layers tested, and, therefore, no correction of the possible damage caused is necessary to maintain the integrity of the designed pavement.
[Read more…] about Non-Destructive Testing Technologies for Pavements II
and 3D imaging. His graduate research focused on the applications of near-surface geophysics to archaeological and historical contexts and has since taught at several universities in Georgia. He has collaborated with scholars across the southeastern United States on innovative research pertaining to applied geophysics and damage prevention, especially as it relates to the protection of cultural resources. The results of these projects have been published in peer-reviewed academic journals of international reputation.
