This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: E3013/E3013M − 17

Standard Test Method for

Evaluating Concrete Pavement Dowel Bar Alignment Using
Magnetic Pulse Induction1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3013/E3013M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope minimum report content is prescribed for the production of

1.1 This test method covers the equipment, field procedures, meaningful test information substantiating the results.
and interpretation methods for the assessment of Portland 1.5 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
cement concrete pavement dowel bar alignment using mag- pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
netic pulse induction (MPI), also referred to as magnetic values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
imaging tomography or eddy current tomography. Magnetic therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other.
pulse induction (MPI) devices induce a weak-pulsed magnetic Combining values from the two systems may result in noncon-
field that causes the induction of eddy currents in metal objects formance with the standard.
disturbing the field. When metal (dowel bar) enters into the 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
field, an electrical signal is produced and processed through safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
algorithms to detect and produce quantitative values for the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
depth, alignment, and side shift locations of each dowel and tie priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bar present in the pavement joint. bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 MPI equipment includes the following: systems scan- 1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
ning device that induces the magnetic field and collects the dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
electrical signal; orientation system such as a rail system; field ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
data collection device that collects the signal data from the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
scanner, performs field analysis, and stores data; analysis mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
software package that calculates the dowel bar positions, Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
allows data adjustments to account for detected anomalies, and
produces reports. 2. Referenced Documents
1.3 MPI field procedures describe the steps and processes 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
required to collect reliable, repeatable, and accurate results A615/A615M Specification for Deformed and Plain Carbon-
from the scanner operation and orientation system. Critical to Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement
the accuracy is the absence of any metal items except for the A1078/A1078M Specification for Epoxy-Coated Steel Dow-
dowel bars in the vicinity of the joints being tested. Metal in els for Concrete Pavement
the scanner and orientation system should be minimized. The
scanner operation procedures cover the collecting of the data, 3. Terminology
reviewing the results on the field data collector, and determin- 3.1 Definitions:
ing if the data collection test was successful. 3.1.1 composite misalignment, n—the composite misalign-
1.4 MPI interpretation methods describe how to analyze ment using the horizontal and vertical misalignments as
data collected in the field procedure, steps taken to address components in calculating a total spatial deviation of the dowel
interferences, and anomalies discovered during the data analy- axis from design orientation.
sis to provide accurate results for the dowel bar positions. Also, 3.1.1.1 Discussion—Horizontal and vertical misalignment
are the legs of a right-angle triangle, and the composite
misalignment is the hypotenuse.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E17 on Vehicle
- Pavement Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E17.41 on
2
Pavement Testing and Evaluation. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2017. Published June 2017. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E3013/E3013M – 15. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E3013_E3013M-17. the ASTM website.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 E3013/E3013M − 17
3.1.2 depth, n—the measured position of the centroid of the 3.1.6.1 Discussion—Values are expressed as either positive
dowel bar from the surface of the concrete pavement in the for movement to the right of the joint or negative to the left of
z-axis. the joint. This term can be used interchangeably with longitu-
3.1.3 depth deviation, n—the difference in specified or dinal translation. See Fig. 1.
design depth of the dowel bar versus the measured depth at the 3.1.7 testing coordinate system, n—spatial location refer-
centroid of the dowel bar. ence methodology for establishing baselines to measure from
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Values are expressed as either positive in three dimensions.
for additional depth or negative for less depth.
3.1.7.1 Discussion—The x-axis lies along the transverse
3.1.4 horizontal misalignment, n—also referred to as hori- joint line, the y-axis lies along the pavement or lane edge, and
zontal skew, the amount of horizontal rotation in a dowel bar the z-axis is down from the surface of the concrete pavement.
about its center point when viewed from above the pavement or Its origin point (0, 0, 0) begins with the intersection of the
lane where the test was initiated.
transverse joint line (x-axis), the longitudinal edge of the
3.1.4.1 Discussion—Rotation in a clockwise direction is
pavement (y-axis), and the surface of the concrete pavement
reflected as a positive value. Rotation in a counter-clockwise
(z-axis). Positive values represent points away from the edge of
direction is reflected as a negative value. The value is the
distance from specified or design orientation to the as- pavement for the x-axis, to the right of the joint for the y-axis.
measured location on the end of the dowel bar. See Fig. 1. (Note that it can be the inside or outside edge pavement
depending upon the direction the test is performed, and down
3.1.5 horizontal translation, n—also referred to as dowel from the surface of the concrete pavement for the z-axis.)
position (x-position), the movement of the dowel bar laterally
along the centerline of the sawed joint in the concrete pave- 3.1.8 vertical misalignment, n—also known as vertical tilt,
ment. the amount of vertical rotation in a dowel bar about its center
3.1.5.1 Discussion—Positive values are expressed for point when viewed from the edge of pavement or lane where
movement away from the starting point of the test. the test was initiated.
3.1.6 side shift, n—the movement of the dowel bar longitu- 3.1.8.1 Discussion—Rotation in a clockwise direction is
dinally from the centerline of the transverse joint (y-axis) in the reflected as a positive value. Rotation in a counter-clockwise
concrete pavement. direction is reflected as a negative value. The value is the

FIG. 1 Side Shift and Alignment Orientation

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 E3013/E3013M − 17
distance from specified or design orientation to the as measured speed. The scanner movement should be smooth and constant
location on the end of the dowel bar. to avoid causing the scanner to jump or lurch forward on the
rail system. The operator should stand to one side of the rail
4. Summary of Test Method (orienting) system to avoid the tripping hazard from the
4.1 Set-up for a test in the field requires assembling and crossties. After the scanner travels the length of the joint or the
setting the fiberglass rail (orienting) system that the scanning test area, the operator should review the results shown on the
device travels on parallel to the joint that contains dowel bars data collector. Field results should display as a minimum a
across the joint. See Fig. 2 for orientation on the joint. Care color map showing each dowel bar, and the following quanti-
should be taken to ensure that the x- and y-coordinate starting tative data x-coordinate location, depth of dowel bar.
points are correctly established. The x-coordinate orientation is 4.5 The data should be transferred from the field data
referenced to the edge of pavement or lane. The y-coordinate is collector to the user’s personal computer that contains the
referenced to joint centerline. The rail (orienting) system manufacturer’s proprietary software used to further refine the
should be clearly marked to aid in locating these critical results. The software allows interpretation and adjustment
references. The data collection device input should also be analysis to produce accurate results. The software should
performed during the set-up phase where the location of the produce reports and summaries that are suitable for quality
test is identified by highway number, cardinal direction (north, control records.
south, east, or west), lane number, project stationing, and joint
number. It is important to check the dowel bar size selected in 4.6 The PC software performs data management for the test
the data collector software since it contains the scanner-specific data files and reports, and produces maps and summary output
calibration file for the dowel bar size selected and is used by files. After selecting a data file for analysis, the measurement
the measurement algorithms. In addition, the operator should algorithm is initiated to calculate the dowel bar x-coordinate,
input project specification requirements of design depth of depth from surface of the concrete, horizontal misalignment,
dowel bars, tolerances for bar misalignment, and side shift. The vertical misalignment, and minimum concrete coverage at the
operator should check the communication connection between dowel bar end closest to the top of concrete. From the
the data collector and scanner prior to starting the data measurement data deviation from design depth, deviation from
collection. the y-coordinate (side-shift), and composite misalignment (a
calculation of combining x-coordinate and y-coordinate mis-
4.2 Prior to starting the test, the operator should inspect the alignments) are calculated. The software should be able to
adjacent area within 10 ft [3 m] of the rail (orienting) system compare the project specification limits inputted by the opera-
for any metallic objects that could interfere with the quality of tor to the calculated measurements, and highlights deviations
data taken. Metallic interferences can be vehicles, equipment, outside of the limits. The software should allow the operator to
tools, underground duct banks, pipes, direct buried cables, and block out strongly deviating values due to the physical location
safety shoes with metal. Metal objects such as reinforcing of the bar being outside of the operating limits for achieving
structural steel in barriers or guardrail systems near the end of the stated accuracy tolerances.
the rail (orienting) system can affect the edge-of-pavement
results. Metallic items that cannot be removed from the test 4.7 The PC software provides signal results quality indica-
area should be noted for inclusion in the report during the tors for the three interior sensors collecting the electrical
analysis period. signal. These indicators, used in conjunction with the signal
curves, allow the operator to detect interferences in the test
4.3 The scanner should be inspected daily prior to the start area. Once a disturbance is detected then the operator should
of testing to make sure that its wheels roll freely, its battery is evaluate the cause of the disturbance, such as a tie or thin bar
fully charged, and that there is less than 1⁄8 in. (approximately in the longitudinal joint, and decide whether to do one of the
3 mm) of lateral movement on the rail (orienting) system. following: (1) insert a value for a dowel bar, (2) delete a value
4.4 The test begins with the operator pulling or pushing the for a dowel bar, or (3) do nothing and just note the interference.
scanning device along the rail (orienting) system at walking Insertion or deletion of dowel bars does not alter the original

FIG. 2 Rail (Orienting) System

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 E3013/E3013M − 17
data file nor the original results. It does allow for compensation anomalies that are detected during the scanning, and at
within the algorithms to more accurately reflect the true minimum show the anomalies in the map reports.
position of the bars in the joint. The quality indicators should 6.3 Ties or thin bars in longitudinal joints that are within
guide the operator in this process; with each successive 24 in. [0.61 m] to dowel bars can affect up to three dowel bars
insertion or deletion the quality values should improve. on each side of the longitudinal joint, depending upon the
4.8 The PC software should produce output files capable of distance from the tie or thin bar. In most cases, only the closest
being printed as a colored map showing the dowel bars in the dowel bars are influenced.
joint, a plan and section view with project specification 6.4 The MPI systems were developed to examine dowel
tolerance limits, values for x-coordinates, depth, y-coordinate bars inserted into the pavement during the paving process. It
deviation (side shift), horizontal and vertical misalignments. A has been successfully used in dowel bars installed using
project information box with location and joint number should baskets. The shipping or tie wire of the basket frame must be
also be included. The section view of the map should also show cut in order to obtain meaningful results from MPI methods.
the location of both ends of the bar (left and right) versus the The cutting of the wires forces the electrical signal produced
tolerance limits. and measured through the dowel bars. The MPI system can
4.9 The PC software should produce a data file that is identify baskets without cut shipping or tie wires in the map
compatible with commercially available spreadsheet software report, however, the tabular results will not be meaningful.
such as Microsoft Excel that shows project information and When measuring dowel bars in baskets, the basket anchors,
measurements and calculations listed above in 4.5. typically metal rods, should be attached to the bottom continu-
ous transverse wires of the basket frame to minimize the added
5. Significance and Use metal from the anchor influencing the results.
5.1 Joints in concrete pavements of highways, airfields, and 6.5 In the PC software, the interpretation of interferences
other facilities are exposed to stresses and strains due to traffic requires the operator to insert or delete values for dowel bars to
and temperature variation. Examining concrete pavement allow the algorithms to accurately calculate the position of the
dowel bars (see Specifications A615/A615M and A1078/ dowel bars. In some cases, the interference cannot be compen-
A1078M) in joints is important to ensure that load transfer at sated for and results in the operator making a note in the reports
joints between concrete slabs occurs efficiently in order to of the dowel bars that are affected.
prevent damage to the pavement and thus shortening its service 6.6 The system calibration limits the dowel bar depth that
life. Using magnetic pulse induction (MPI) to examine dowel accurate results can be calculated.
bars provides owners and contractors a nondestructive testing
6.7 The physical configuration of the scanner limits the
method to determine that the bars are installed correctly. MPI
ability to collect accurate data on alignment of the dowel bars.
examination can be performed on existing joints and can
support forensic investigations into pavement failures.
7. Apparatus
5.2 The use of MPI methods and equipment provides a
7.1 The magnetic pulse induction system consists of the
quality control process for installers to use to document that
following components: rail (orienting) system, scanner, field
dowel bars are installed correctly in new pavements. Owners
data collection device, and PC software.
use the same device to perform quality assurance activities and
accept installed facilities from contractors. 7.2 The rail (orienting) system must be constructed out of
nonmetallic materials such as fiberglass, except for the rail
5.3 MPI devices provide reliable quantitative results that are
connectors which may contain a small amount of metal in the
repeatable with not only the same device but also with other
form of screws and threaded sockets required for making tight
calibrated MPI devices.
and smooth connections. The crossties must have centerline
markings for aligning the rail (orienting) system along the joint
6. Interferences
centerline. The crossties connect the rail segments and main-
6.1 MPI testing relies upon plain concrete pavement where tain the gauge to ensure that the scanner maintains a straight
dowel bars are the only metal in and under the pavement in the path during the test. The rail segments connect to the ties with
evaluation area. Adjacent metal objects such as equipment or connectors, and must form a smooth joint to avoid causing the
vehicles, if large enough and within 10 ft [3 m], can influence scanner to stop or jump when crossing the joints during the
the test results. Underground utilities can also influence the test. The end rail segments must have a starting point indication
signal if they contain an electrical current or metal. If the test to establish the test starting point for the scanner.
requires the scanner to start or end with guardrails or barrier 7.3 The scanner is a self-contained unit that induces a
wall reinforcing steel within 3 ft [1 m] of it, the test results are pulsed magnetic field under the scanner. The strength of the
affected only locally (that is, the nearest bars to the metal field can be adjusted depending on the thickness of the
object). concrete. Sensors in the scanner measure the electrical current
6.2 It should be noted that metal interferences do not affect produced when metallic objects enter into and disturb the
the entire test run, only the area closest to the metal, and to a magnetic field. Each sensor must collect signal data every 20
reducing effect as the distance from the metal object increases. milliseconds. The maximum rate of speed for the scanner along
The MPI PC software should be able to identify metal the joint is 1.5 ft/s. A lateral resolution of 6 in. or less and a

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longitudinal resolution of 0.4 in. or less is required from the then shimming with nonmetallic materials is acceptable to
sensor array in the scanner. The longitudinal position of the level the rail (orienting) system.
sensor array along the joint must have a resolution of 0.5 mm 9.4 The test area should be inspected for metallic objects
or less. The scanner should have a rechargeable battery that could influence the data results. If possible, remove the
sufficient to allow a minimum of 8 h of testing time. metallic objects from the area. If the objects cannot be moved
7.4 The field data collector is small enough for the operator then the operator should record the description of the metallic
to carry while performing the test. It includes an LCD color items and the distance from the evaluation area. Small metallic
screen to display maps and data results of recently scanned items such as nails, dowel bars, steel rods, or hand tools should
dowel bar tests. An alphanumeric keypad, either hard-button or be a minimum of 3 ft [1 m] from the evaluation area. Large
virtually displayed on the LCD screen, is required for inputting metallic objects such as vehicles, construction equipment, and
test information and selecting scanner settings. The field data structural steel should be a minimum of 10 ft [3 m] from the
collector should have a rechargeable battery sufficient to allow evaluation area.
a minimum of 8 h of testing time. 9.5 Turn on the field data collector and scanner after setting
7.5 The PC software must be capable of processing the data the scanning device on the rails at the starting point.
collected in the field to provide accurate results within the
stated precision in Section 14. The results must be repeatable 10. Calibration and Standardization
when the same data file is processed multiple times by the same 10.1 Each MPI system is calibrated to specific dowel bar
PC or by other PCs running the same software. The data results sizes, material type, and lengths. A calibration data file is
are presented in tabular form, providing quantitative results for developed by the manufacturer for each device and bar type.
each dowel bar and joints. A color map visually showing the The calibration process involves using the specific dowel bars
data results for the dowel bars in the joint is required. The to develop a software file that adjusts the signal measurement
software will produce reports for both the map and the tabular received to provide accurate results for the specific bar type, as
results; in both cases the software will save the reports in well as a correction factor for the metal content in the specific
common electronic file formats of Microsoft Excel for the scanner being used. Unless the device is damaged, no periodic
tabular data and JPEG file format for the maps that allow use calibration is required. Additional dowel bar type calibrations
by computers without the MPI system software. may be added to an existing device. The calibration data file is
also used in the evaluation software in the field data collector
8. Hazards
and the PC. Scanners and software are not interchangeable
8.1 Be sure to keep back straight and use proper lifting between MPI systems due to the device-specific calibration
techniques when moving MPI system transport and storage files.
cases. Use two people to lift transport boxes into vehicles for
transport. Use transport box wheels when moving them by 11. Procedure
hand. 11.1 The test begins by initiating the START TEST com-
8.2 The scanner device may contain a lead acid gel battery. mand on the field data collector, which activates the magnetic
The field data collector may contain a lithium battery. Proper field induction and sensor data collection operations in the
recycling or disposal of the batteries is recommended. scanner. The operator then begins pulling or pushing the
scanner along the rail (orienting) system in a smooth, continu-
9. Preparation of Apparatus ous motion until reaching the end of the rail (orienting) system.
9.1 Charge batteries in scanner and field data collector. The speed of the device should be less than 1.5 ft/s [0.5 m/s].
9.2 Prepare the field data collector by inputting project 11.2 Once data collection is completed, the field data
information including highway or runway number and collector automatically begins calculating results which are
direction, path or lane number, and width. Select dowel bar size displayed on the screen. The operator checks the results to see
from list of calibrated dowel bars for the scanner. Input project if they are as expected or if any metallic interferences are
station numbering location and joint number. Input project present. If the results and the map do not indicate any
design parameters for depth and spacing of dowel bars, as well problems, then the operator should save the results and proceed
as the offset distance from edge of concrete to first dowel bar to the next joint to be tested. If the results indicate anomalies,
centerline. Set the evaluation area to be measured by inputting the operator must accept the test and store the data, or
the length of joint that data collection is needed. re-perform the test by selecting the REPEAT command on the
9.3 Assemble rail (orienting) system by connecting the field data collector. The REPEAT command will discard the
crossties and rail sections together long enough to allow previous data and allow the operator to re-run the test. If the
continuous pulling or pushing of the scanner over the test area. scanner jumps the rails or is inadvertently lifted off the rails,
End-rail sections should be used to ensure proper alignment to then a new test is required. If underground interferences are
the edge of pavement or lane and scanner starting point so that discovered in the results, then this item would be noted and a
the x-coordinate values are accurate. The rail (orienting) re-test is not required.
system must be aligned to the centerline of the joint so that the 11.3 Once the field testing activities are completed, the
y-coordinate values are accurate. See Fig. 2 for orientation of operator connects the field data collector to the PC that
rail system. If the joint being tested is uneven across the joint, contains the MPI system software for transferring the field

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measurement data files and begins the analysis that will 13. Report
produce the final results. 13.1 The MPI system software should be capable of pro-
11.4 After moving and saving the field data measurement ducing a single joint report and multiple joint reports called
files on the PC, the operator can open a single file or select a batch or project reports.
set of field data measurement files for batch processing. Upon 13.2 A report at minimum shall provide the following
opening a field data measurement, the operator should review information. A picture or diagram of the dowel bar as measured
the project data for accuracy. If the project data is not correct, configuration which can include a comparison of the design
the operator should correct it and save the data measurement location in the plan and section views where translations,
file. In addition, prior to processing the data measurement files, skews, and tilts are visible. Joint identification information is
the operator can correct the dowel bar size selected and used provided on the report which can include stationing, joint
during the test; this will allow accurate results using the numbering, lane information, highway, runway, or taxiway
numbering and direction. The report should also have the
corrected dowel bar calibration file. Again, the file should be
dowel bar size and length used in the calculations. A tabular
saved after making this change.
section or additional report identifying each dowel bar and
showing the values for depth, horizontal location, depth
12. Calculation or Interpretation of Results deviation, side shift, cumulative misalignment, horizontal
12.1 After checking the project information, the operator is misalignment, vertical misalignment, and minimum concrete
ready to perform the calculations to provide position data of the coverage. In addition, an editable comment section and the
dowel bars in the joint. This is initiated by the LOAD DATA ability for the user to customize additional columns for project
command in the software. After the field data measurement specific requirements.
information is loaded, then the operator initiates the COM- 13.3 The project or batch report shall have the same
PUTE POSITION command that will provide the values for attributes displayed as the individual joint report.
dowel bar depth, depth deviation from plan depth, side shift, 14. Precision and Bias
total misalignment, horizontal misalignment, vertical
14.1 Precision and bias of this test method is influenced by
misalignment, and minimum concrete cover from end of dowel
the quality of the dowel bar installation. The MPI system will
bar to top of concrete. Additional interpretation aids may be
measure with the following precision. Horizontal location will
provided to assist in identifying interferences and anomalies
be 60.15 in. + 3 % [63 mm + 3 %] of the distance travelled.
that were detected during the calculations. Bar spacing precision will be 60.2 in. [4 mm]. Horizontal
12.2 Once the results are initially calculated, the operator skew (misalignment) will be 60.2 in. [4 mm]. Vertical tilt
should review the values looking for instances where interfer- (misalignment) will be 60.2 in. [4 mm]. Side shift will be
ences have influenced the results, such as a tie or thin bar in a 60.3 in. [8 mm]. Dowel bar depth will be 60.2 in. [4 mm].
longitudinal joint may have caused the calculation to not 14.2 Repeatability bias is 0.1 in. [2 mm] when the dowel bar
identify a dowel bar. In this case the operator should insert a installation precision is met.
dowel bar and rerun the calculation. This iteration is repeated 15. Keywords
or reversed depending upon the results generated until the
calculations address the interferences. 15.1 concrete pavement; concrete pavement joint NDT;
depth of dowel bars; dowel bar alignment; dowel bar baskets;
12.3 The operator may need to delete a nonexisting dowel dowel bar insertion (DBI); dowel bar NDT; dowel bar spacing;
bar that the calculation added inadvertently due to an adjacent eddy current tomography; electromagnetic tomography; mag-
metallic object. The same steps are followed in an iterative netic pulse induction tomography; NDT dowel bar examina-
manner until the results are considered reliable. tion; pulse induction method; QA/QC dowel bar joints

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