CIHT Qatar Group organized a technical seminar for Highways and Transportation professionals on “Innovative Testing and Monitoring Techniques in Pavement Construction & Geotechnical Investigations in Qatar” which was held on April 30, 2019.

Dr. Pejman Dehdezi, Senior Pavement Specialist and Eng. Anna Villamor, Geotechnical Engineering Manager from Fugro Qatar, were the guest speakers.

In the first session, Dr. Pejman Dehdezi introduced road pavement testing equipment built with advanced technologies that are new in the road pavement testing sector in Qatar. The equipment are namely; Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD), Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), Automated Road Analyser (ARAN), and also other advanced laboratory equipment for asphalt mix design. For example, one of the innovative testing systems was the GPR where it uses high frequency radio signal that measures various parameters of pavements properties very quickly and with high-level of accuracy. Unlike nuclear density gauges or radioactive alternatives, these innovative testing systems do not have any site hazards or require closing off work areas. Pejman provided an example of Al Khor Expressway where the 25 km of non-stop wearing course paving completed by Tekfen is in the process of being submitted for a new Guinness World Records.

In the second session of the seminar, Eng. Anna Villamor described the innovative testing and monitoring systems of geotechnical investigations. She presented some key challenges encountered by professions in the field and how these can be overcome by using the latest systems. For example, Measurement Whilst Drilling (MWD) with wireline logging system accelerates the schedule, provides more data and provides a more accurate presentation of the ground compared to the conventional coring system. This technique is used to distinguish changes in rock formations, determine strength parameters and identify fractures, weak zones and cavities.

In general, the speakers convey the message that Fugro's innovative testing and monitoring techniques will accelerate project schedule by saving money and time and achieving more reliable data for various design and construction uses.

The presentation was well received by the audience, with a detailed question and answer session following the main presentation. This seminar is part of CIHT Qatar Group’s events. The Group thank their sponsors AECOM, BG&E, DCE, Egis, Fugro, Muhel, PAF, Salfo, Seero and WSP for their generous contribution to the event.