Nondestructive Testing
Condition Surveys
Pavement Management Systems
Geographic Information Systems
Pavement Design/Analysis
Research
Training
Software Development
Contract Documents
Construction Consultation

It is often desirable to obtain a generalized evaluation of the surface condition of an airport or highway pavement system. Based on the level of distress, caused by either past loading or from environmental action, the current projected serviceability of a pavement can be computed and compared to other portions of a road or airport pavement network.

The pavement condition survey is an analysis of the visual distress manifestations (i.e., cracking and surface deformation) exhibited on the surface of the pavement. As such, it is a visual indicator of pavement failure mode and mechanism, caused by past action. When integrated with nondestructive test results, causative relationships can be developed and strength/condition interactions can be quantified to reliably project future performance.

To provide a common index for quantifying and comparing the performance of various pavement systems, the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) was developed by various user agencies. The PCI is a numerical index from 0 to 100 which represents the pavement's functional condition, based on the quantity, severity, and type of visual distress.

Although the condition survey and PCI is a tool that has been available to pavement engineers for many years, software such as "MicroPAVER", enables full utilization of the condition survey concept for pavement management decision-making.

Our personnel are experienced and trained by the University of Illinois in the use of condition survey and PCI concepts, both as an independent analytical tool and for integration with other pavement management procedures. We have conducted pavement condition surveys for numerous airports and highways, and have extensive experience with "MicroPAVER" implementation and training for airports, roads, and military installations.