The acceptance of earthwork and unbound pavement construction currently relies on Density testing and CBRs for Quality Assurance (QA). Queensland Main Roads has sponsored an ARRB research project to update test methods acceptable for use for QA of pavement and subgrade materials including Light Falling Weight Deflectometers (LFWD’s), PANDA, Clegg Hammer, DCP and Plate load testing. A state-of-the-industry study was completed by FSG in 2017, and identified a number test methods that have the potential to: (a) reliably provide a direct measure of the strength or insitu modulus value; and (b) offer significant time savings in turnaround time of QA test results. In 2018, field result trials were then used to bench mark various alternative equipment and compared with traditional density QA measurements to assess the reliability, benefits and limitations of these equipment.
