UFC 3-260-03
15 Apr 01
CHAPTER 3
DATA COLLECTION
1. GENERAL. The selection of representative physical characteristics of a pavement requires a
thorough study of all existing information and may require additional tests at the time of evaluation. The
evaluation may be based on design and construction control data when these data are considered rep-
resentative of existing conditions. This fact is especially true for relatively new pavements; however,
additional tests are desirable for the evaluation of older pavements, or when there is reason to doubt the
validity of the existing information. Tests required when construction data are not available and the
sampling and testing methods for conducting these tests are discussed in appendix B.
2. STUDY OF EXISTING DATA. Existing data may be used to make the evaluation or to supplement
new data. In either case, all data available from previous tests made in connection with design, construc-
tion, repair, or earlier evaluations should be thoroughly studied. The performance of the pavement should
be analyzed by means of traffic records, weather data, and the results of any previous condition surveys.
In many instances, the existing data will indicate the uniformity of the material encountered and thus
enable the scope of a test program to be established. The type of data that should be assembled and
studied for this phase of the evaluation is discussed below. Where data are not available, testing will be
required.
a. Subgrade and Base-course Strength. In many instances, it may be found that subgrade and
base-course strength determinations were made for the pavement features during the initial construction
period and that data may also be available from later tests. However, these tests may not be meaningful,
since the strength will change with time. The exact locations of the tests should be determined by the
evaluating engineer to properly assess the value of the information.
b. Pavement Thickness. Construction plans generally show pavement sections for the various
features of the airfield, including thickness, thickened edges, types of joints, and load-transfer devices.
c. Concrete Flexural Strength (R). Construction control strength measurements can, in many
instances, give a realistic picture of the uniformity or relative quality of the concrete in the various
pavement features. Tests conducted during previous evaluation studies, when correlated with the
construction-control tests, may also yield information of value, particularly in regard to strength change
with time. Studies of this type may materially reduce the number of field tests necessary to establish the
existing flexural strength on which the evaluation is to be based.
d. Condition of Existing Pavement. In some instances, recent condition-survey reports made in
connection with special investigations can be obtained from the Geotechnical Laboratory, U.S. Army Engi-
neer Waterways Experiment Station (WES), Vicksburg, MS, from the Air Force Civil Engineer Support
Agency (AFCESA/CESC), Tyndall AFB, Florida, or the appropriate Navy Engineering Field Division Office,
or the Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center. Up-to-date maintenance records should be obtained
for all pavements.
e. Subgrade and Base-Course Physical Properties. Construction records generally contain soil
profiles of the finished runway, taxiway, and apron sections and may also include results of soil-
classification tests, moisture contents, moisture-density curves, and the seasonal position of the ground-
water table for the subgrade soils. Modulus of elasticity in flexure of stabilized materials meeting the
requirements outlined in TM 5-822-14/AFJMAN 32-1019 for Army and Air Force and in MIL-HDBK-1021/4
for Navy and Marine Corps may also be found in construction records.
3-1
Previous Page
