Transtech PQI 380 Operator's Handbook Manual
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Transtech PQI 380 Operator's Handbook Manual

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Pavement Quality Indicator
Operator's Handbook
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Summary of Contents for Transtech PQI 380

  • Page 1 Pavement Quality Indicator Operator’s Handbook...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Controls & Components Contents Gauge Features External / Internal Controls Power Save / Auto Shutdown Setting Up the PQI 380 Installing / Charging the Batteries & Battery Care Tips Battery Voltage Starting the Software Main Menu Local Time and Change Date Format...

  • Page 3: Introduction

    • Relative moisture detection and correction when necessary • Stores infinite records • Data download via USB flash drive (semicolon delimited text file format) Measurement Technology The PQI 380 uses impedance spectroscopy to measure the electrical response of asphalt from which the density is calculated. As shown in the Comsol simulation below, the electrical field transmits through the material from the sensor plate of the PQI 380. The impedance is then measured and used in the calculation of the density for that specific aggregate.

  • Page 4: Application Summary

    The PQI 380 is intended primarily for use on newly-laid asphalt pavements with lift thickness ranging from 0.75 inches to 6 inches. The calibration of the PQI 380 to a density standard (core) is very important for the reliability and consistency of the density measurements for each material.

  • Page 5: Controls & Components

    Controls & Components - Contents The PQI 380 is packaged and shipped with the following components. Contact TransTech Systems customer service if any of the parts are missing. • PQI 380 unit • Standardization Plate • Storage/shipping case • Operators Quickstart Guide •...

  • Page 6: Gauge Features

    Gauge Features Handle On / Off Button Powers gauge ON / OFF Handle Extension GPS Module Connection for handle (Accurate to 5+/- Meters) extension TouchScreen Used to input and interact with the gauge Faceplate Protective bezel for touchscreen USB Port Allows communication between a flash drive Gauge Shell...

  • Page 7: External / Internal Controls

    External / Internal Controls External controls on the PQI 380 consist of an ON / OFF switch and a 480x640 VGA touch screen display for navigating through the user interface and entering alpha/ numeric data. Be sure not to drag your finger from one button to the next. A firm yet light touch is all that is needed to navigate from screen to screen. Unique yet consistent icons are located on most screens for easy one touch navigation. When data input is required of the operator the screen will display the above keyboard.

  • Page 8: Power Save / Auto Shutdown

    20 minutes the unit will go into a power saving mode. Pressing any key will wake the PQI 380 for continued use. If the PQI 380 is left on for an hour without any buttons being pressed, it will shut itself...

  • Page 9: Installing / Charging The Batteries & Battery Care Tips

    (Do not pull the battery by the connector wire, doing so could damage the battery) Charging Batteries 1. Turn the PQI 380 unit OFF 2. Connect the charger to the charger connector located on the back of the PQI 380 3. Plug the charger into a standard AC outlet 4. The red indicator lamp will turn green to indicate that the batteries are charged (approx. 4hrs) 5.

  • Page 10: Battery Voltage

    Battery voltage can be viewed on the status bar located at the bottom of all screens. A fully charged battery will display over 8 volts. The battery voltage will decrease as the PQI 380 is used. A low battery voltage icon will be displayed at approximately 6.5 volts.

  • Page 11: Main Menu

    Main Menu Contact button displays Start button opens the TransTech and distributor Control Menu screen contact information Update Software button opens Calculator button opens the the software update screen built in calculator GPS Control button opens the GPS Settings screen Local Time and Change Date Format You may set the date and time in two locations.
  • Page 12 Local Time and Change Date Format To set the time, press the Set Time button. Press the appropriate numbers for the time in 24 hour format. Once you are satisfied with your entry, press Accept to save and return to the previous screen. To set the date, press the Set Date button. The date will display in either the MM/DD/YY or DD/MM/YY format which may be toggled from the button located on both screens.

  • Page 13: Setup The Gps

    Setup the GPS Setting up the GPS is nothing more than turning it on and waiting to connect to satellites. The GPS feature can take up to 15 minutes to connect to satellites depending on your location. From the Main Menu, press GPS Control.

  • Page 14: Control Menu

    Control Menu From the Main Menu press Start PQI 380 to enter the Control Menu. From this menu, you will find the icons listed below. Opens the modes screen Opens the project where you can choose a details screen measurement mode Opens the units screen, where...

  • Page 15: Select Measurement Units

    Select Measurement Units From the Control Menu, press Units. Density, Temperature, Depth, Stone Size and % Compaction can be toggled independently between system international (SI “metric”) and U.S. while temperature is set to celsius, customary units. For example, you can set the density to lb/ft depth is set to inches while stone size is set for millimeters. Data Logging From the Control Menu, press Data Logging.

  • Page 16: Mix Details

    Mix Details The density determined by the PQI 380 is highly material dependent so it is extremely important that the mix information for each mix design are input accurately into the gauge. Note: Readings taken prior to accurately setting up the mix details section of the gauge will result in incorrect density and compaction results. The PQI 380 is configured to store 20 unique mixes that are identified by user entered descriptions. If 20 mixes have been defined in the PQI 380 and a 21 mix is required, one of the original 20 will need to be modified to reflect the mix details of the new mix design. The details of the new mix will need to be input by editing the details of a previously defined mix. Once the old mix details are overwritten with new information, the old information is gone and the new information is saved in the gauge. Previously stored data files with the old mix information will not be overwritten.
  • Page 17 Editing Mix Details - Mix Name Fine There are six black buttons labeled Mix, Stone Size, Depth, MTD, Offset and Operator. By pressing one of these labeled buttons, you will enter the keyboard screen which will allow you to edit and save information for that mix value. For example press Mix, the keyboard will open allowing you to change the mix name. Press clear if you would like to start over with a new name. Press shift to toggle from lowercase to uppercase letters.
  • Page 18 Editing Mix Details - Depth Press Depth. enter the depth of the asphalt mat on the numeric keypad in the units you previously selected for the depth. Once the correct value has been entered, press Accept. An out of range Warning will display for depths entered outside of the following range: 0.75in - 6.0in (19.05mm - 152.4mm) Editing Mix Details - Maximum Theoretical Density (MTD) Press MTD.
  • Page 19 Editing Mix Details - Offset The offset for this material can be adjusted at a later time. Measurements taken prior to adjusting the offset will not include the offset. You will need to take a measurement to determine the offset. The offset feature will be revisited later in the calibration section of this document. Editing Mix Details - Operator Sean Press Operator.

  • Page 20: Project Details

    Editing Mix Details After pressing Exit from the Edit Mix screen the gauge will return to the Mix Details screen. Here you may use the green up or down arrows to select a new mix for editing or change an existing mix. The green highlighted mix is the CURRENT MIX that the gauge will use when taking readings. Prior to exiting this screen, be sure this is the mix you want and the information to the right has been verified. Press Control Menu on the status bar to return to the Control Menu. If the gauge is shutdown, the current mix prior to shutdown will remain the current mix when started back up. Project Details The PQI 380 is configured to store 10 unique projects that are identified by user entered descriptions. If 10 projects have been defined in the PQI 380 and an 11 project is required, one of the original 10 will need to be modified to reflect the new project. The details of the new project will need to be input by editing the details of a previously stored project. Once the old projects are overwritten with new information, the old information is gone and the new information is saved in the gauge. Previously stored data files with the old mix information will not be overwritten.

  • Page 21: Editing Project Details

    Editing Project Details From the Control Menu, press Project to enter the Project Details screen. The project highlighted in green is displayed in detail on the right. To edit the details of this project, press Edit Project. Rt 67 & 30 There are four black buttons labeled Project, Location, Location, and Contact. By pressing one of these labeled buttons, you will enter the keyboard screen which will allow you to edit and save information for that project. For example, press Project, the keyboard will open allowing you to change the default name.

  • Page 22: Reading Modes-Selection And Definition

    Reading Modes - Selection and Definition The PQI 380 has four reading modes - Single, Average, Continuous and Segregation. Continuous and Segregation mode will not save data. Single and Average mode will only save data when data logging is enabled.

  • Page 23: Single Reading Mode

    From the Control Menu, press Measure to begin taking readings. The heading of the screen will display the active mode (Single, Average, Continuous, Segregation). Single Reading Mode To begin taking readings, press Measure. If data logging is disabled, the PQI 380 will display the results of the first reading and await another.

  • Page 24: Average Reading Mode

    Single Reading Mode the PQI 380 will display Accept and Reject If data logging is enabled, buttons for that reading. Once accepted, the Enter Location screen will load which will allow specific information to be stored for that reading. Press Accept to immediately bypass this screen or when you have finished entering information for that reading.
  • Page 25 Average Reading Mode Data Logging ENABLED Data Logging DISABLED After the fifth reading the PQI 380 will display the five individual readings under density summary The gauge does not store along with the average of the compaction, density and temperature. individual readings, only the average readings will be stored. If individual readings are needed, this will be the last time the screen will display them. If data logging is enabled gauge will prompt you to Accept or Reject the current average reading. If rejected, the...

  • Page 26: Continuous Reading Mode

    380’s segregation mode can be used to conveniently measure the density variations that result from mix segregation. The operation of segregation mode is patterned after test procedures used by a number of testing organizations. The PQI 380 is used to take a number of readings at pre-determined locations on the mat and the variations in the readings are calculated after all readings have been...
  • Page 27 Results of reading 1B for location 1 will display and wait to be accepted or rejected. If needed, write down the results of the reading at this time. The PQI 380 will then show a Calculate button and prompt for reading 1 at location two (2A).

  • Page 28: Calibration

    (core) the PQI 380 will maintain optimal precision and accuracy. For optimal results, the core calibration method is the most accurate method when calibrating the PQI 380. The level of quality control from the plant to the mat will determine the number of test locations an operator should identify (one to five). The standard method for establishing a control strip as specified in AASHTO TP 68-04 would be a total of five core locations. Remember the calibration...

  • Page 29: Calculating The Offset

    Average Density) will then be averaged to obtain one difference. This difference will be the Offset for that specific mix that will be stored in the gauge for that mix. Therefore, you will be adjusting the value of the PQI 380 readings by that amount in order for the gauge to read the same as the core(s). If you do not have a calculator handy, from the Main Menu, press Calculator.
  • Page 30 Using the density you previously measured and comparing the value to the density desired, determine whether the PQI 380 reading is too low or too high. In the previous step we determined that the PQI is reading too high and the adjusted value for the offset is 5.

  • Page 31: Data Storage And Downloading Data

    Editing Mix Details - PQI 380 Offset Setup The adjusted value and new offset will be the same if the current offset was originally zero. If the current offset had been -1 and the adjusted value 5, then the new offset would be -6 for a PQI that was reading too high. Press Accept. You will be brought to the Edit Mix screen where you can verify the updated offset information for that mix. Once verified, press Exit to save your results, then press Control Menu on the status bar to return to the Control Menu.

  • Page 32: Downloading Data

    GPS time, GPS date, PQI380 Date/Time. Printing a Project File If you have purchased the TransTech portable printer for your PQI 380 you will be able to print test results on-site directly from your gauge. Plug in your printer and from the Data Management screen,...
  • Page 33 Viewing a Project File Once you are in the Data Management screen you can view completed tests in your project files. Use the arrows to scroll and highlight the desired project and select View. All of your tests saved to this project will be listed in the order they were taken. Only the most pertinent information will be shown in this view including: Test Number, Station, Description1, Density, Compaction and Surface Temperature. Press the Back button to exit the Project View screen. Deleting a Project File When you wish to delete a project, select and highlight the correct project using the arrows and press Delete.

  • Page 34: Maintenance & Troubleshooting

    Maintenance and Troubleshooting In the event that the PQI 380 were to malfunction an internal diagnostics mode can be activated to provide necessary technical information to the factory. In the event that a repair is required, we strongly recommended that authorized factory service be obtained. Unauthorized repair or maintenance by the user during the warranty period will void the unit’s warranty.

  • Page 35: Calibration Reset

    This feature is used for TransTech inhouse diagnostics. If this button is pressed the keyboard will load and you will be prompted for a password. In certain circumstances TransTech may provide you with the password to...

  • Page 36: Maintenance

    Therefore, you should wipe the PQI 380 sensor plate surface dry and clean after each reading. Also, before placing the PQI 380 on the mat, you should check the surface of the mat to make sure there is no loose material on the surface, which would prevent the PQI 380 from seating properly. If a buildup of asphalt begins to form on the sensor plate surface, clean the surface with WD-40 or a citrus cleaner.

  • Page 37: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting The chart below provides guidance to a few suspect conditions. Problem Remedy Buttons Sticking / Frozen Software Repress the frozen button firmly for three seconds. Be sure not to drag your finger from one button to the next. If this does not work, reset the gauge by turning it off and then back on. Incorrect Density Reading Clean off sensor plate Check Current Mix Details- be sure you have selected the proper aggregate size and entered all details correctly Check Calibration- check your calculations for...

  • Page 38: Standardization

    Press Start, to begin the standardization. Do not touch the gauge while it is busy. The acceptable range for the A and B values are displayed on the screen, however, the PQI 380 will respond with a PASS or FAIL...
  • Page 39 HAS BEEN ISSUED TO. IF YOU RECEIVE A FAIL RESULT, CHECK TO BE SURE THE SERIAL NUMBERS LOCATED ON THE GAUGE AND THE STANDARDIZATION PLATE ARE THE SAME. WARNING: THE STANDARDIZATION OF THE PQI 380 MAY GIVE A FALSE “FAIL” IF TEST IS TAKEN TOO CLOSE TO METAL OBJECTS, POWER LINES OR OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES THAT MAY BE TOO CLOSE TO THE GAUGE.

  • Page 40: Measurement Table / Core Comparison Calibration Worksheet

    Asphalt Mix Core Comparison Calibration Work Sheet 1. Enter the core density readings and the average PQI 380 readings for each location. 2. Subtract the PQI readings from the core density for each location. 3. Add the differences for each location = total difference.
  • Page 41 Asphalt Mix Core Comparison Calibration Work Sheet 1. Enter the core density readings and the average PQI 380 readings for each location. 2. Subtract the PQI readings from the core density for each location. 3. Add the differences for each location = total difference.
  • Page 42 Asphalt Mix Core Comparison Calibration Work Sheet 1. Enter the core density readings and the average PQI 380 readings for each location. 2. Subtract the PQI readings from the core density for each location. 3. Add the differences for each location = total difference.

  • Page 43: Warranty

    Unused products will be issued a credit to the Purchaser’s account that was used to purchase the product. TransTech will not credit prepaid shipping cost. The original packing slip or invoice is required to be sent back with the product to be returned.
  • Page 44 900 Albany Shaker Road, Suite 2 Latham, NY 12110 Phone: 518-370-5558 Toll Free: 1-800-724-6306 Fax: 518-370-5538 Email: inquiries@transtechsys.com Web: www.transtechsys.com Toll Free: TransTech.Systems.Inc01 Follow us on Ver. 1.4 4/2018...

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