Application of PANDA and Geo-Endoscopy techniques for improved assessment of track substructure conditions at railroad bridge approaches

An advanced technology for measuring track substructure conditions has been developed by Sol Solution in France. This technology, referred to as the PANDA® and Geo-Endoscopy® technique, comprises driving a variable energy cone penetration device into the track substructure using an instrumented anvil to collect strength (and modulus by correlation) profile with depth. Condition monitoring of the track substructure layers is accomplished through insertion of a camera into the same hole, also called Geoendoscopy®. The tests are commonly faster than Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) testing and cause negligible damage to the track substructure with the use of light and portable devices. This paper presents data from PANDA® and Geo-Endoscopy® testing efforts recently carried out under the scope of an ongoing research study at the University of Illinois. The primary objective was to relate the substructure layer properties to plastic layer deformations measured through advanced geotechnical instrumentation. Combined analysis of the PANDA®, Geo-Endoscopy®, and field instrumentation data has been used to highlight the reliability of this innovative technique towards improved evaluation of track substructure layer conditions.