Application of Infrared Imaging and Ground-Penetrating Radar to Detect Segregation in Hot-Mix Asphalt Overlays

Segregation is a serious problem in hot-mix asphalt and typically results in poor performance, poor durability, a shorter life, and higher maintenance costs for the pavement. A summary of the results and recommendations from three projects in Texas in which infrared imaging and ground-penetrating radar were used to examine the uniformity of the pavement mat is presented. Both techniques have significant advantages over currently used nuclear density techniques in that they provide virtually 100% coverage of the new surface. The effectiveness of both the infrared and radar techniques was evaluated by taking measurements on new overlays at the time of placement, coring, and then identifying relationships between changes in the infrared and radar data with changes in the measured volumetric and engineering properties of the cores. Analyses of the results showed that changes in both infrared and radar data are significantly related to changes in hot-mix asphalt properties such as air void content and gradation. On the basis of current Texas Department of Transportation specifications, significant changes in the hot-mix asphalt are expected if temperature differentials of greater than 25°F (13.9°C) are measured after placement but before rolling. If the surface dielectric of the in-place mat changes by more than 0.8 for coarse-graded mixes and 0.4 for dense-graded materials, significant changes in mix properties are expected. Given the promising results from this work, agencies should consider implementing both the infrared and ground-penetrating radar technologies.