Compaction Quality Monitoring of Open-Graded Aggregates by Light Weight Deflectometer and Soil Stiffness Gauge

Abstract

Open-graded aggregates (OGAs) are free-draining materials often used as the base layer of permeable pavements to allow the infiltration or drainage of stormwater. Despite their widespread use, the compaction quality of OGA base layers has not been specified properly. The currently used density-based compaction quality control (QC) has limitations; obtaining the field density and maximum dry density of OGAs by typical methods is challenging, due to their unique properties. To overcome these limitations, modulus-based compaction QC can be used as an alternative. In this study, five different OGAs were chosen and compacted into a specially built soil chamber to measure their densities. The light weight deflectometer (LWD) and the soil stiffness gauge (SSG) were used to evaluate the modulus of the compacted OGAs. The vibratory hammer compaction test was conducted to obtain the maximum dry density of the aggregates. Through these tests, the relationship between the modulus of the compacted aggregates and the relative density was obtained, and efforts to find a modulus range that ensures proper compaction were made. It was found that the LWD and SSG are valid and reliable devices for monitoring the modulus change of OGAs due to compaction.