Comparison of the Compaction Quality of the Base and Sub-Base Layers of Road Pavement Using the Sand Bottle, the Gamma Densimeter and the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP)

Abstract

This article compares the deviations resulting from the Gamma Density Meter and the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP), using the penetration resistance index (DN) and CBR, with the Sand Bottle. A quantitative and experimental methodology, of a basic and explanatory nature, was used, and the materials of the base and sub-base layers were determined through laboratory and field tests; the degree of compaction by the Sand Bottle and Gamma Density Meter; and the penetration resistance index (DN), correlating it with the CBR. The comparison of the Gamma Density Meter with the Sand Bottle revealed a deviation of 0.9% in the sub-base layer and 0.69% in the base layer, with low DN and high CBR values. These resulted in DCP lines with a considerable slope that, when related to the degree of compaction obtained by the reference method, also showed a notable approximation. It was concluded that both the results obtained by the Gamma Density Meter and the results obtained by the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP), based on the penetration resistance index (DN) and CBR values, are close to the results obtained with the Sand Bottle method.