3D modelling of asphalt concrete overlay based on GPR data

ABSTRACT

For proper rehabilitation planning and appropriate technology selection for airport pavements, information on the layer thicknesses is important. Pavement layer thickness can be determined by ground penetrating radar (GPR). GPR data is usually displayed in distance vs thickness diagrams. These two-dimensional displays do not utilise the full potential of the three-dimensional (3D) information of GPR data. To appropriately represent the data, the display should be 3D, as well. The aim of this study is to present a process for creating a 3D model and spatial representation of asphalt concrete (AC) overlay thickness. The 3D model of the AC overlay surface is generated based on the Delaunay triangulation of interpreted GPR data. The 3D model is presented on contour and band maps, whose accuracy is evaluated by comparing the thicknesses displayed by the contour maps with those measured in core samples. The calculated mean relative error of the contour map is 7.2%. The band map is used to identify sections of equal thickness or to analyse predefined sections, to select the appropriate rehabilitation technology. The combination of the interpreted GPR data and Delaunay triangulation successfully compensates for the lack of 3D GPR, in terms of the spatial representation of layer thickness.

KEYWORDS:

• Ground-penetrating radar
• 3D modelling
• layer thickness
• airport pavement
• Delaunay triangulation
• spatial representation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Josipa Domitrović

Josipa Domitrović is an assistant professor at the Department of Transportation engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, where she teaches undergraduate- and graduate-level classes. In addition to her teaching activities, she works as a laboratory assistant on quality control of geosynthetic materials. She is the author/co-author of several papers published in journals and conference proceedings. Her main research interest is in the field of pavement materials, and their design, maintenance, and management.

Šime Bezina

Šime Bezina is a PhD student and an assistant at the Department of Transportation Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb. He conducts undergraduate- and graduate-level practical courses in Roads, Pavements, Highway Design, and Road Intersection. His main research interests are in the field of applications of ground-penetrating radar in structural and functional evaluation of pavements. In addition to his teaching activities, he works as a laboratory assistant on quality control of geosynthetic materials.

Ivica Stančerić

Ivica Stančerić is an assistant professor at the Department of Transportation Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, where he teaches graduate-level classes. In addition to his teaching activities, he works as a laboratory assistant on quality control of geosynthetic materials. He is the author/co-author of several papers published in journals and conference proceedings. His main research interest is in the field of road and intersection design.

Tatjana Rukavina

Tatjana Rukavina graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, Croatia, where she received Master and Doctoral degrees, both in technical science. She is a full tenured professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, and head of a laboratory specialised in testing geosynthetics. She is the author/co-author of more than 80 works in international journals and conference proceedings. Her main research interests are in the optimisation and rationalisation of pavement design and construction, in pavement maintenance and management and its incorporation into everyday use, and in non-destructive evaluation methods.