Crack detection in asphalt pavements - How useful is the GPR?

Cracking is a common distress type in asphalt pavements causing degradation of bearing capacity of subsurface layers and putting user´s safety on stakes. Therefore, cracks must be detected and cured. Conventional, destructive methods for crack detection are usually time-consuming and expensive. Ground Penetration Radar (GPR) has been successfully used since decades as a non-destructive tool for pavement characterization. The question now is, if GPR can also be employed as a crack detection tool for monitoring asphalt pavement. In this case study, GPR was used for crack detection in asphalt pavements. The tests were conducted on asphalt specimens prepared in the laboratory, and on asphalt pavement roads.