ABSTRACT
The objective of this paper is to explain the design and the process of installation of sensors to compare the performance of thin composite overlays loaded using the heavy vehicle simulator. The sensors were designed and installed to capture the critical mechanical responses in the surface layer, load transfer efficiency in the slab, and stresses in the unbound subbase layer. The purpose of the instrumentation is to develop a prediction model. Four types of sensors were installed in this study: a) pressure cells in unbound subbase; b) soil compression gauges in unbound base, and c) asphalt strain gauges in surface layer of HMA and thermocouples in lower subbase as well as in surface HMA layer. Difficulties and challenges were encountered and possible solution and recommendation are also explained in this research paper.
