Navigation and service

HinweisCookies

This website uses cookies. These are used for intermediate storage during ordering or registration processes. Data such as frequency of use or behaviour are not recorded. Here you can find out more about data protection and possibilities for contradiction.

OK

MESAS – Multifunctional assessment tool for the structural evaluation and the design of pavements

The Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) operates an innovative measuring vehicle for structural evaluationat traffic speed – the multifunctional assessment tool for the structural evaluation and the design of pavements (MESAS).

The photo shows the MESAS

It is based on a fast-moving bearing-capacity measurement system, the Traffic Speed Deflectometer (TSD).

Process description

The measuring system is installed in an articulated vehicle. The core part is the single-axle semi-trailer equipped with various measuring systems. All measuring systems are designed for assessment at driving speeds of up to 80 km/h, so that measurements can be carried out “with the flow of traffic”. The lowest measuring speed is about 40 km/h. MESAS is therefore primarily designed for measurements at network level. It consists of the following subsystems.

The picture shows a sketch of the MESAS Source: Greenwood Engineering (modified)

Traffic Speed Deflectometer

The single axle of the semi-trailer applies a static load of ten tonnes on the road pavement. The dynamic axle load generated while the vehicle is in motion is continuously recorded. The resulting short-term deformation of the road surface, which is completely reversible, is detected without contact in the wheel track at various distances in front of the axle and behind it. For this purpose, Doppler laser sensors measure the deformation velocity, and deflexions (deformations) are determined by mathematical derivation. These deformations are output as mean values over ten meters. One of the innovative features here is the recording of deformations in front of the load axel, but also behind it. This allows an in-depth analysis of the bearing capacity. The measurements are currently carried out on asphalt pavements, the application on concrete pavements is the subject of further developments.

Ground penetrating radar (GPR)

MESAS is equipped with a 2 GHz horn antenna for the non-destructive detection of layer thicknesses and inhomogeneities in pavement structures and in the subgrade.

PPS+

A second generation pavement profile scanner is installed at the rear of MESAS. This laser scanner allows the acquisition of transverse evenness and the recording of surface images over the entire width of a lane. The system works with eye-safe laser technology. It is planned to derive further data on geometry and longitudinal evenness from the measurement data. Additionally a single laser with an accelerometer is installed in the right-hand wheel track of the measuring vehicle, which makes the measurement of longitudinal evenness according to the International Roughness-Index principle possible.

Front-view cameras

Two cameras record front images in HD quality. These are required in particular for the interpretation of the GPR measurements, but also for explaining variations in bearing capacity.

All measuring devices are synchro-nized using the same time stamp and they are clearly georeferenced using a sophisticated GPS system.

The photo shows the MESAS

The implemented acquisition and management software is specifically adapted to the measuring system and allows for operation at network level. In particular, this includes software modules that support both route planning and quality assurance during ongoing operation as well as a software that enables virtual navigation on the previously recorded road sections during the evaluation process.

Evaluation

MESAS is the name of both the research vehicle as well as of the related project . The project aims to develop procedures and methods with which data from non-destructive structural evaluation will systematically support pavement management in the future. Potential is seen especially in the combined eval-uation of different data sources and data acquisition variables.

Quality assurance

Although there are 14 Traffic Speed Deflectometers in use worldwide, there are still no uniform procedures for quality assurance. In addition to existing experiences abroad, MESAS aims to provide fundamental knowledge in this field.

Technical data

  • Dimensions L/W/H: 14.5 m/2.55 m/3.96 m
  • Weight: 22 t
  • Axle load of the semi-trailer: 10 t (variable between 9 and 13 t)
  • Measuring speed: up to 80 km/h
  • Measuring performance: up to
  • 600 km/day (60.000 measurement points with an averaging length of 10 m)
Special consultants: Dr Dirk Jansen & Dr Claudia Podolski

The picture shows the logo of the MESAS