Pavement Engineering
Lincs Laboratory’s Pavement Engineers have knowledge and experience built up over many years. Our expertise continually moves forward as we embrace modern techniques and familiarise ourselves with the latest construction materials and manage the change necessitated by the migration to European Standards.
Our Pavement Engineering Team provide a wide range of specialist services to Lincolnshire County Council and other clients including:
- Scheme identification & forward maintenance programming
- Pavement investigations and analysis
- Design of maintenance treatments
- Skid resistance analysis
- Footway structural condition assessment & treatment advice
- Consultancy advice
Scheme identification and forward maintenance programming
To maintain the road network in a serviceable condition, periodic and planned maintenance is required. Sections of the Principal Road Network (PRN) requiring maintenance are identified by Pavement Consultancy staff using data provided by the Surveys Team; deflectograph, SCANNER, SCRIM and visual condition surveys. An updated forward programme is produced identifying schemes on a year-by-year basis. This list forms the basis of the major highway works carried out in the next financial year.
Pavement investigations and analysis
Once a scheme has been accepted, a detailed investigation is carried out which includes visual condition, coring and examination of the deflection data. Analysis of the collected data enables a cost effective (20 year design life) maintenance scheme in terms of inlay or overlay thickness to be determined and a full treatment schedule to be drawn up.
Design of maintenance treatments
Pavement investigations can also be commissioned by LCC divisional staff and external clients to determine the most appropriate and cost-effective course of treatment for an identified scheme.
The vast array of machine survey and visual condition information available to Lincs Laboratory for majority of the highway network, in particular the strategic road network means that not only the individual survey information can be analysed but also the analysis of on going trends over a longer time frame. This can aid in a more informed decision on the choice of treatment type and location, both at a large principal road scheme and smaller divisional scheme level.
Pavement investigation also extends to the investigation of failures, where the cause of the failure is identified and remedial work designed.
Skid resistance analysis
SCRIM data is used in conjunction with accident data by our Pavement Consultancy to identify skid deficient sites and prepare a signing schedule on the strategic road network. Sites are also prioritised for maintenance on a cost-benefit basis in liaison with Network Managers and Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP) staff.
In partnership with Derbyshire County Council and LRSP we also commission griptester surveys for accident investigation and skidding resistance issues on both the strategic network and non-strategic network.
Footway structural condition assessment & treatment advice
Lincs Laboratory’s Pavement Engineers can offer testing and condition assessment advice based on the use of a PRIMA light weight deflectometer, to establish current footway condition and advise on targeted treatment of defects.
Consultancy Advice
Our Engineers are available for advice on projects large or small as construction advances. This may relate to the appropriateness of design or the significance of results found to be out of specification by routine testing. Support is available to the resident engineer/site manager in negotiations with their contractors.
Advice is also available to contractors, particularly guidance with respect to test results.
