In-situ determination of moisture in road pavement by nuclear methods.
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Date
1981-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Atomic Energy Commission
Abstract
The use of neutron moisture probes to determine moisture in compacted pavement layers has been studied on samples representative of those used by the New South Wales Department of Main Roads for roadway construction. The aim of this work was to measure the average moisture content of the upper layer (15-20 cm thick) with minimum interference from moisture in underlying layers. Sub-surface probes using high (α-Be) and low (α-Li) energy neutron sources were examined; conventional α-Be sources in specially designed compact probes should result in an error due to base moisture and density variations of less than 0.4 wt % moisture. As this error is probably less than those due to sampling and geometry variations in the field such a probe should be sufficiently accurate for DMR requirements. If less sensitivity to base moisture is required the α-Li source will reduce this sensitivity by a factor of about 1.4.
Description
Keywords
Moisture gages, Soils, Humidity, Neutron sources, Prompt neutrons
Citation
Gray, G. W., Sowerby, B. D., & Youdale, G. P. (1981). In-situ determination of moisture in road pavement by nuclear methods (AAEC/E511). Lucas Heights, NSW: Australian Atomic Energy Commission, Research Establishment.