A research team led by Dr. Alessandro Fascetti, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, has received over $600,000 from the Engineer Research Development Center (ERDC) of the Army Corps of Engineers writes Kay Procyk for Pitt Swanson Virtual Newsroom. The project aims to improve the quality assurance of Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) pavements critical to military infrastructure, such as airfields and roadways. The new approach focuses on developing innovative non-destructive testing (NDT) tools to ensure the durability and reliability of concrete pavements during the early stages of construction.
The research will focus on real-time, non-invasive testing methods that will allow inspectors to evaluate the quality of concrete within 72 hours of placement, significantly reducing the time required to detect issues. These techniques, including ultrasound tomography, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and infrared thermography, will provide a fast and reliable way to assess potential defects, such as surface cracking or poor material consolidation, without damaging the pavement. This is a major advancement over current methods, which are slower and less adaptable to the Department of Defense’s (DoD) rapid construction demands.
At the core of the research is the goal to improve both the accuracy and speed of decision-making in the field. By detecting defects early in the construction process, engineers can determine whether repairs or replacements are necessary, preventing costly delays and ensuring long-term performance. The study leverages the University of Pittsburgh’s cutting-edge facilities, including the newly developed Pavement Consolidation Simulator, which allows researchers to simulate real-world paving conditions and refine their testing protocols.
With military infrastructure requiring high levels of reliability, this project promises to provide the DoD with practical tools to enhance quality assurance. The collaboration, led by Fascetti and supported by experts and long-time ISCP members Julie Vandenbossche and Lev Khazanovich, aims to create field-ready technologies that streamline construction processes and ensure the longevity of PCC pavements worldwide.
Read more here: https://news.engineering.pitt.edu/a-concrete-plan-for-better-defense/