A nondestructive compaction quality evaluation of runway construction with GPR data

Abstract

Abstract Compaction quality evaluation of rockfill materials is an essential link in the construction process of runway. However, the traditional on-site limited sampling detection is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also destructive. To address this challenge, the application of non-destructive ground penetrating radar (GPR) in runway compaction quality detection under different compaction conditions is discussed in this paper, combining laboratory test and field investigation. It is found that the crest factor (CF) index based on Hilbert -Huang transform (HHT) analysis of GPR signal can better detect the compaction quality. Based on an runway case, through the HHT analysis of GPR signals collected in the field, it is verified that the CF index can be used to predict the relative compaction of rockfill material, and the average error rate is 4.03%. At the same time, the kriging interpolation method is used to estimate the compaction quality of any point, and the corresponding evaluation heat map of compaction quality is generated. This method can greatly shorten the detection time in the construction process and provide a certain reference for the determination of the insufficient compaction area in the construction process.