Traditional Quality control specifications for earthworks require the achievement of a high relative compaction and rely on density measurements.
An ARRB webinar (June 2018, Part One - concepts) introduced other tools that may be used for quality control assessment. A state-of-the-industry study was completed to identify test methods that have the potential to:
Comparisons of density with alternative in-situ testing show the latter provide significant benefits to the industry. Accuracy is not the same as precision, and industry’s reliance of density places an emphasis on precision rather than accuracy, data usability or timeliness of results. Recent research has found density measurements are, although precise, not very accurate due to its poor correlation with the results of other modulus or strength-based tests. For example, a 95% density ratio can have a large range of modulus values. The factors which influence the results are discussed with data from various sites.
This Part Two webinar compares the limitations, benefits and issues associated with traditional density testing and other types of testing with research data various sites.
