USING GROUND PENETRATING RADAR IN PAVEMENT THICKNESS MEASUREMENTS - A COST COMPARISON WITH THE TRADITIONAL CORING METHOD

Accurate knowledge of pavement layer thickness is important in many aspects of pavement management. Often this information is unknown, and records are inaccurate, out of date or difficult to assess. To date, the only method of obtaining pavement layer data has been core sampling, which is time consuming, labour intensive and intrusive to traffic, and provides limited coverage. This paper proposes a thickness determination cost model using ground penetrating radar (GPR) and a thickness cost model for trading coring. A 'benefit factor' concept is proposed which can justify the use of GPR rather than destructive coring. It is concluded that it is far more economical and safe to use radar. (A)