Case Study: Validation of the Spectral-Analysis-of-Surface-Waves Method for Concrete Pavement Condition Evaluation

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The article is well established and includes good contributions, I recommend improving the abstract,  the sentence structure and breaking down long sentences. All the rest of article is written very well and presented valuable contributions. But please try to cite some new references (last 5 years).

 

 

English language could be improved.

Author Response

Thanks for your comments! We agree with this comment. We've revised the abstract and added some references within these five years. Also, we've proofread the paper and rewritten several parts.

Reviewer 2 Report

This paper presents and analyzes the SASW method and compares it with other tests. The findings are interesting and the authors have provided good analysis and discussion of the results. Please see other comments below:

Abstract

Lines 10 and 12: Give the full terms with abbreviations in parenthesis for these two abbreviations since it is the first time you mention them in the abstract.

I would suggest removing the sentence in line 16: In addition…..

Rewrite line 17. As the sentence stands does not make sense.

 

Introduction

Remove the first paragraph from the paper. It doesn’t relate to the study and it is not required to define the role of the introduction section to your readers.

Line 34 Too general. Rewrite or you could keep such a statement if you support it with multiple references that mention your argument for multiple countries.

Line 38 Add the word “techniques” at the end of the sentence on this line.

Rewrite sentences in lines 54 and 55

Line 52 Either significant or important.

Lines 53-55 Rewrite as follows: Such a decision depends on the condition of the concrete pavement and its evaluation.

Line 56 Once the evaluation is obtained…..

Rewrite lines 59-69

 

Section 2

Remove the first paragraph on this section.

 

Section 3

I recommend that the authors remove Table 1 and add a map with the section locations and the corresponding measurement locations. Annotate this figure.

Annotate Figure 2.

 

Section 4

Line 263 Rewrite the statement.

Line 279: Rewrite the caption as follows: Modulus of elasticity and compressive modules of concrete samples from SASW method and compressive strength test respectively.

 

Section 4.1. How do the data compare with other authors?  

The authors are advised to proofread their paper. The English level of the paper, in some sections, is poor i.e. Lines 59-69, lines 81-82, etc. 

Author Response

Thanks for your comments! Here is a point-by-point response to the reviewer's comments.

- Abstract

We agree with these comments. We added the full terms with the abbreviations "SASW" and "FWD". Besides, we've revised the sentences and removed some based on the reviewer's comments.

- Introduction

We've removed the first paragraph from the paper.

We've revised the sentence in the original Line 34 (now Line 29).

We've added the word “techniques” at the end of the sentence on the original Line 38 (now Line 33).

We've rewritten sentences in the original Lines 54 and 55 (now Lines 49 and 50) according to the reviewer's suggestion.

We used the "significant" in the original Line 52 (now Line 47).

We revised the original Line 56 (now Line 51) to "Once the evaluation is obtained,..."

We've rewritten the original Lines 59-69 (now Lines 54-64).

- Section 2

We've removed the first paragraph from the paper in this section.

- Section 3

We appreciate the reviewer's suggestion regarding Table 1! Indeed, a map detailing sectional locations would be an effective way of presenting the measurement locations. However, the primary purpose of Table 1 is to illustrate the in-situ NDT test procedures and field core test plans. It's also worth noting that these three pavements are located in distinct provinces, separated by considerable distances. We have modified Table 1 to emphasize the number of measurement locations across the three different pavements under various tests and also added some explanation in Line 187.

We annotated Figure 2.

- Section 4

We've rewritten the statement in the original Line 263 (now Lines 258-264).

We've revised the caption of Table 2 as "Modulus of elasticity and compressive modules of concrete samples from SASW method and compressive strength test respectively".

- Section 4.1.

We added a comparison between SASW modulus and laboratory compressive modulus from other papers, which also have a high correlation (In Lines 280-282).

- 

We've proofread the paper and rewritten several parts according to the reviewer's comments. 

Reviewer 3 Report

The Manuscript "Case Study: Validation of the SASW Method for Concrete 2 Pavement Condition Evaluation" is correctly written but prior to publication I propose the following improvements: 

1. Line 25-33: incorrect text.

2. Line 124-130: incorrect text.

3. The SAWS method has already been used to asses the modulus of concrete pavements. So what is new in the article?

4. The SAWS method is of little practical use. The test cannot be performed when there is traffic. Compared to the FWD method, a section of road must be closed. In my opinion, this is a major limitation. What do the authors think about it?

5. Line 198-199: What limitations and unexpected incidents occurred during the field experiments? Please explain (if possible)?

 

Author Response

Thanks for your comments! Here is a point-by-point response to the reviewer's comments.

1. We've removed the first paragraph in section 1（original Lines 25-33) from the paper.
2. We've removed the first paragraph in section 2（original Lines 124-130) from the paper.
3. In this paper, the SASW method was employed to determine the gradient modulus and conduct a comprehensive assessment of the concrete pavement condition. The primary objective was to offer insights into the asphalt overlay rehabilitation techniques for concrete pavements. Although the SASW method has been previously utilized to evaluate the modulus of concrete pavements, there is a paucity of field practice case studies that provide a theoretical basis for asphalt overlay strategies on concrete pavements. This manuscript introduces three distinct concrete pavement case studies, further illustrating the feasibility and precision of the SASW method.
4. We totally agree with what the reviewer said about the shortcomings of the SASW method. Indeed, we recognized that the SASW method was a little bit complicated and time-consuming which would decrease the measurement efficiency. However, the dispersive nature of the Rayleigh wave, used in the SASW method, provides precise determination of the modulus profile in relation to depth and the thickness of each pavement layer, which is superior to other NDT methods, including FWD and TSD. Therefore, our team at Penn State endeavored to integrate the Rayleigh wave methodology into FWD testing. The results of this research, which demonstrate promising feasibility, have been published. Given the inherent strengths of the SASW method in assessing the gradient modulus profile, we anticipate further research in this field to enhance measurement efficiency while ensuring the accuracy of gradient modulus results.
5. The limitations and unexpected incidents during the field testing arose from coordination issues with the FWD operator and field coring collaborators. Additionally, during the evaluation, we encountered technical difficulties with the FWD device, preventing the continuation of the FWD test.