4.8 Total Pavement Acceptance Device (TPAD)

The Total Pavement Acceptance Device (TPAD) is a truck-mounted system consisting of a rolling deflectometer that applies large cyclic loads to the pavement and measures the induced deflections with rolling deflection sensors as it moves along the pavement, while generating a ground penetrating radar survey coincident with the deflection survey. There are numerous advantages built into this version of a rolling sensor deflectometer, including a low-speed cruise control, improved acquisition software, and survey enhancements, including high definition video, linear distance offsets, high-precision differential GPS coordinates, and surface temperature acquisition. Currently, the TPAD is fitted with three rolling sensors mounted on individual carts connected to an isolation positioning/lifting frame; one sensor is mounted between the loading rollers, one in front of the loading rollers, and the third a similar distance behind the loading rollers. Rolling sensors have been improved, but data collection speed is currently limited to 2 mph to maintain a reasonable signal-to-noise ratio. The TPAD must be transported to the project site with a semi tractor-trailer. Preliminary software was developed for data analysis of all data collected (deflections, GPR signature tied to deflection location, video, longitudinal offsets, GPS coordinates, and surface temperatures). Because of the added surveying features on the TPAD, it is now much easier to physically revisit a problematic location to conduct further non-destructive testing or material sampling.
Total Pavement Acceptance Device (TPAD)with detail of loading rollers and front geophone cart. (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 4-15. Total Pavement Acceptance Device (TPAD) with detail of loading rollers and front geophone cart.