Thickness testing is used as a quality control check to ensure that the proper amount of material has been placed during paving.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only for cores
• D. Not related to paving

Answer: (A)

Thickness testing is a quality control step that directly checks how much material was placed by verifying that the pavement layer thickness matches the design specification. In paving, the thickness of the asphalt layer dictates the amount of material used and the structural performance of the road. By measuring thickness in the field—commonly through cores cut from the surface and measured, or by using non-destructive survey methods—the crew can confirm the mat sits within prescribed tolerances. When the thickness is correct, the intended quantity is achieved and the pavement should perform as designed. If it’s too thin, the structure may be inadequate; if it’s too thick, material is wasted and could cause other issues. This makes thickness testing a direct, essential QC check for paving projects.