Western Infrastructure Laboratories
Flexible Pavement Engineering
Western Infrastructure’s experts have been providing pavement engineering and materials evaluation services on flexible pavement projects for decades. We understand the growing budget constraints that local agencies are facing, and the importance of solid yet innovative and cost effective engineering solutions. Western Infrastructure provides local agencies with comprehensive pavement engineering services that utilize the newest pavement rehabilitation technologies to effectively deliver our clients the service life that they expect of their pavements at a construction cost that may be less than traditional methods.
Western Infrastructure is closely involved with hot mix asphalt industry associations and government agencies that keep our engineers on the pulse of new and upcoming technologies. While we have a comprehensive understanding of traditional methods and designs, we don’t automatically suggest the same textbook solutions to all of our clients. We individualize our recommendations to include new flexible pavement materials that can be used most effectively and economically. Whether it is a highly traveled arterial roadway that requires high stability in intersections to prevent pavement rutting or a residential collector that the residents expect to be as quiet as possible, Western Infrastructure has the solution.
Western Infrastructure routinely assesses current pavement conditions and identifies the causes of pavement distress. Using the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), coring, ground penetrating radar (GPR), and dynamic cone penetrometer testing we are able to assess subgrade conditions and determine the load-carrying capacity of in-place pavement. Our efforts can determine the remaining service life of pavement and identify options for rehabilitation.
Supported by a network of sophisticated laboratories, our expert staff has the ability to design asphalt concrete mixtures to meet either state or local specification requirements. We routinely develop hot mix asphalt designs consisting of the following materials:
- Polymer Modified Binders
- Rubberized Hot Mix Asphalt
- Warm Mix Asphalt Research and Development
- Hot Mix Asphalt Using High Amounts of Recycled Asphalt Concrete
- FAA Marshall designs
- Superpave Designs
The proper structural section design for flexible pavement as well as the asphalt concrete mixture type is crucial to its performance and longevity. Poor design can result in early failures, substandard performance and repairs that quickly become costly. At Western Infrastructure, we are committed to helping agencies design and implement the most appropriate, durable pavement solutions. Our extensive experience providing quality assurance and quality control services in the field gives us unique insight and allows us to provide recommendations that are easily implemented and reliable.
The asphalt pavement department is led by Chris C. Gerber who continues to grow our reputation as an industry leader in flexible pavements. Mr. Gerber is an active member of the American Public Works Association, the Asphalt Pavement Association, the Rubber Pavements Association, the National Asphalt Pavement Association, and is an active co-chair of the Caltrans expert task group on flexible pavements. He has vast knowledge of hot mix asphalt materials and the constraints during production as well as experience managing comprehensive quality assurance and quality control programs. Throughout his career, he has overseen the design, inspection, and testing of over 2 million tons of hot mix asphalt.