Thesis
Evaluation of non-nuclear density gauges for determining in-place density of unbound materials
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2013
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101089
Abstract
Proper compaction of soils, bases, and other unbound materials is highly important in road construction and critical to the performance of pavements. Hence the ability to quickly and accurately measure density and moisture content is important; nuclear density gauges (NDGs) have long been used to perform this task. With increasing regulations and cost associated with using nuclear source material, significant effort has been made to develop non-nuclear density gauges (NNDGs). Three non-nuclear compaction measuring devices, the Humboldt Electrical Density Gauge (EDG), the Trans Tech Soil Density Gauge (SDG), and the Humboldt GeoGauge were reviewed in this study to determine if they are viable replacements for the NDG. Measurements were taken with the EDG, SDG and GeoGauge at 21 project sites in Idaho. NNDG outputs were compared to density collected from NDGs and sand cones on site, and moisture of soil samples determined from the laboratory oven. It was found that the EDG density and moisture content based on the NDG soil model correlate well with the NDG measured density and moisture content. Uncorrected SDG density correlated very poorly with traditional devices. When project specific correction factors were applied to the SDG, both EDG and SDG provided a good estimation of dry density and moisture content. However, increased scatter was v observed when data from only smaller material subsets (base, sands, and fine material) were analyzed. Stiffness and modulus measurements obtained with the GeoGauge did not correlate to density and moisture content obtained with the NDG and oven, respectively. The results indicate that NNDGs can not provide precise measurements of the soil density and moisture content for quality control and quality assurance purposes.
Metrics
29 File views/ downloads
86 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Evaluation of non-nuclear density gauges for determining in-place density of unbound materials
- Creators
- Mark William Rose
- Contributors
- Haifang Wen (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525401201842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis