Calgary's rapid growth since the 1950s oil boom has pushed road networks across challenging glacial till and alluvial deposits. Much of the city's existing pavement infrastructure now carries traffic loads far beyond original design projections. A thorough existing pavement evaluation is essential before any rehabilitation or overlay project. We combine falling weight deflectometer testing with coring to assess layer thickness and condition. This data feeds directly into structural number calculations per AASHTO 1993. For older residential streets, we also check for subgrade moisture issues that accelerate fatigue cracking. Paired with a CBR vial test on site, we get a clear picture of remaining service life.
Calgary's freeze-thaw cycles demand more than a visual survey — layer stiffness mapping every 20 meters reveals the weak spots that drive premature pavement failure.