ACER's capabilities include analyses for flexible asphalt pavement sections throughout their design life.
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At the initial design phase for a project, the subsurface is evaluated for its suitability to support the anticipated traffic loading for new pavements, based on projected equivalent single axle loads (ESAL’s). Laboratory analyses for California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and Standard Proctor (ASTM D 698) are conducted, allowing ACER to provide pavement design recommendations for thicknesses of asphalt layers and the pavement subbase, using the AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures.
During the construction phase for the project, ACER provides on-site quality control during placement of hot mix asphalt (HMA) for new pavements. Certified technicians, operating nuclear moisture-density gauge equipment, measure compaction and air voids to ensure suitable compaction of the asphalt.
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ACER's services also include evaluations of existing asphalt pavement sections, including Pavement Condition Index (PCI) surveys. The PCI is a non-destructive (PCI) survey, carried out in accordance with the ASTM "Standard Practice For Roads And Parking Lots Pavement Condition Index Surveys" (ASTM D6433), that measures the types, extents, and severities of any pavement surface distresses (e.g., cracks or rutting) and evaluates the overall smoothness of pavement surface. Based on this survey, a PCI rating is assigned to the pavement section for the purpose of assessing whether the pavement should be replaced, repaired, or left in place. Post-construction evaluations for pavements may also include the extraction of asphalt core samples to measure layer thicknesses or to subject the material to laboratory analyses.