Air void assessment in tarmac (AirVoTar)

Air void density is an essential aspect of the quality assurance of pavement construction. Therefore, in newly built asphalt pavement the industry specifications require assessment of asphalt layers thicknesses as well as air void density in the pavement surface layer. These measured values need to comply with the industry standards and failure to comply will expose the contractor to fines and re-work.

The method currently used in the industry to assess the quality of newly constructed asphalt pavement consists of extracting cores and sending them to the laboratory. This method enables the contractor the measure the asphalt layers thickness and air void density in the asphalt. However, the method is intrusive, destructive, costly and time consuming.

This project will look into the possibility of developing a technology that will measure the air void density in asphalt on-site, quickly and non-destructively, preferably during pavement construction. Success of this project will enable NDT Consultants to offer a complete method that will measure both the asphalt layers thicknesses and air void content in newly built tarmac onsite and non-destructively.