A pavement engineer designs and installs pavement, conducts research, manages budgets, and maintains pavement. They work with builders and suppliers to ensure projects are cost-effective and within budget. They also perform tests and repairs to address pavement distress and safety issues.
A pavement engineer is directly responsible for the design and installation of various types of pavement and works closely with a team of senior engineers. This field usually falls under civil engineering, and many people in this profession have at least a bachelor of science (BS) degree, as well as years of experience in the field. A pavement engineer is often employed by government agencies to design roads, airways and other major pavement layouts. In addition to the design and construction of paved roads, this position is responsible for research, budgeting, pavement management and maintenance.
Research is a key element of this profession and is usually carried out extensively before projects are implemented. The pavement engineer must thoroughly research material behavior, pavement behavior, and pavement surface characteristics. The survey results can significantly improve road safety because these factors are directly correlated with road stability. Some important road characteristics often include friction, texture, noise, and smoothness. Training and education in the field prepares the paving engineer to consider all factors before designing any type of road.
Budget is also an important aspect of this profession because he or she will need to design a pavement structure that is cost-effective and within the company’s budget. This duty also requires research and may require various business management skills. He or she will need to work closely with builders and material suppliers to ensure the project can be included in the proposed budget.
Pavement management is often a post-project task that ensures the road remains in good working order. A big problem with many types of pavement is cracking, and over time there are all sorts of difficulties that payment goes through, including alligator cracking, weathering, and distortion. Alligator cracks are interconnected cracks that are often caused by high traffic volumes and can gradually decrease road stability. Weathering is the distortion of pavement due to weather and weather conditions that causes pavement materials to wear out and become weak. Distortion usually occurs when the pavement starts to give way and this directly affects the quality of the road.
Problems with the pavement can contribute to safety issues and usually need to be addressed periodically by a pavement engineer. Usually, he or she performs several tests on the pavement to determine the severity of the distress and then applies the appropriate repairs. There are many roles a pavement engineer can perform, including risk assessment, providing test-based improvement suggestions, and monitoring all construction details.
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