Road agencies monitor the functional and structural performance of their road networks to ensure they maintain appropriate levels of service thus allowing road users to complete their journeys safely. One of the most critical parameters is skid resistance, however, a more complete picture of a network’s safeness can be achieved if additional safety related parameters, such as texture, road geometry and rut depth, are also measured.
With the safety of road users in mind, ARRB built the iSSAVe: the first machine to produce a complete picture of the safety of a road network.
ARRB’s pavement strength testing services are carried out using a Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), which is a non-destructive testing device that provides data on the bearing capacity of road and airport pavements.
Suitable for highways, local roads, railways and airport runways, FWD testing allows for more accurate and rapid measurement of pavement deflection under loads than traditional methods. The data can assist in applications such as pavement overlay design, pavement condition surveys and in the development and operation of a Pavement Management System (PMS).
A dynamic load is generated by the dropping of a mass, similar to that of a moving vehicle or aircraft wheel loads, from a pre-set height. The magnitude of the load and the pavement response are measured by a load cell and nine geophones.
The FWD is equipped with DGPS, thus providing location information up to an accuracy of 1 metre and all data collected is in accordance with International Standard ASTM D 4694-96 (2003).
ARRB offers independent assessments of the surface characteristics during the post construction of pavements. Our testing is undertaken in accordance with the prevailing jurisdiction’s test method.
ARRB also routinely undertakes pre and post construction dilapidation surveys related to the creation of major infrastructure so as to provide an independent assessment of the impact on public roads.
ARRB’s Intelligent Pavement Assessment Vehicle (iPAVe) will change the way your local government authority or road agency manages its road assets.
The iPAVe provides pavement strength testing in a single pass along a road – providing an accurate, cost-effective way of measuring the quality of a road surface and its sub-surface.
Seven lasers on the iPAVe pick up deflection as the vehicle moves along any road.
It collects all data as it drives, including video imagery, to monitor the response of a pavement when placed under load.
Several cameras are mounted to the iPAVe to collect asset and pavement imagery.
Data provided includes continuous pavement deflection profiles, from which bearing capacity indices can be derived and pavement fatigue estimated.
The high accuracy and resolution of the iPAVe enables engineers to pin-point areas where the pavement may be subject to failure, allowing local government and road agencies the opportunity to decide where best to spend their valuable maintenance dollars.
ARRB has two iPAVe vehicles, which are available to local government and road agencies.