Semi-Automated Faulting Measurement for Rigid Pavements

• Published in: Transportation research record 2009-01, Vol.2094, p.121-127
• Main Authors: Nazef, Abdenour, Mraz, Alexander, Iyer, Shivprakash, Choubane, Bouzid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0361-1981
• DOI: 10.3141/2094-13

Faulting measurements have traditionally been conducted manually by means of fault meters. However, operating any manual device such as a fault meter close to vehicular traffic is hazardous to both the operator and the traveling public. Automated methods, such as those associated with high-speed profilers, offer a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective alternative. Therefore, there is a need to develop an automated method for measuring joint faulting with longitudinal profiles from high-speed profilers. A study was initiated with the primary objective of determining an appropriate profiler sampling interval to accurately locate transverse joints. A secondary objective was to determine how well faulting estimated from profile elevation compares with faulting measured with a Georgia fault meter. An algorithm was developed: it can accurately detect on average 95% of transverse joints from profile data collected at highway speed with a 0.68-in. (17.3-mm) sampling interval. This algorithm was also adapted to estimate faulting measured with a Georgia fault meter (AASHTO R36-04). Although the algorithm results are repeatable, the algorithm overestimated the faulting at joints by 0.05 in. (1.3 mm) to 0.06 in. (1.5 mm) compared with faulting measured with the Georgia fault meter.