Shallow reflection method for pavement thickness measurement

Abstract

The seismic reflection technique utilizes the concept of the reflected wave when the media changes its stiffness. Previous studies utilized this technique for deep subsurface profiling in the oil field exploration. The objective of this study is to assess the seismic reflection technique for measuring the shallow profile of the pavement layer and thus able to identify the layer of asphalt thickness. Via applying the non-destructive seismic reflection technique, an early sign of abnormal pavement can be detected, and thus only minimum points for destructive tests can be suggested. The analysis of reflection waves in the time domain can calculate the thickness of the asphalt pavement layer directly on site. An attempt is made to model concrete slabs with different thicknesses. The result shows the sensors arrangement twice of the thickness able to give a lower error of 0.4 % and 15% of the thickness and p-wave velocity, respectively.