Non-contact surface wave testing of pavements: comparing a rolling microphone array with accelerometer measurements

Rayleigh wave velocity along a straight survey line on a concrete plate is measured in order to compare different non-destructive data acquisition techniques. Results from a rolling non-contact data acquisition system using air-coupled microphones are compared to conventional stationary accelerometer results. The results show a good match between the two acquisition techniques. Rolling measurements were found to provide a fast and reliable alternative to stationary system for stiffness determination. However, the non-contact approach is shown to be sensitive to unevenness of the measured surface. Measures to overcome this disadvantage are discussed and demonstrated using both forward and reverse rolling measurements.