{"id":"475ced0f-7758-4ce6-b7b1-bc4be0593bb0","task":"Confirm whether a non-nuclear (electromagnetic) density gauge like the PQI 380 or Troxler PaveTracker is an accepted density-testing method under a specific state DOT's asphalt compaction spec.","domain":"Asphalt paving contractor / QC technician","steps":["Check the DOT's materials/QA manual for its current list of approved non-nuclear density gauges (e.g., NCDOT's density gauge operator's manual names specific approved models).","Confirm the specific gauge model complies with the referenced standard (ASTM D7113 / AASHTO T343).","Run the DOT-required correlation procedure against cores or a nuclear gauge control strip before relying on gauge-only readings.","Determine whether the DOT allows the gauge as a stand-alone acceptance method or only as a QC screening tool alongside cores/nuclear gauge acceptance testing.","Follow the DOT's specified number of readings per test site (e.g., five-reading averaging) and recording procedure."],"gotchas":["Independent state DOT research (e.g., a Virginia DOT study) found non-nuclear gauge readings poorly correlated with core density in some mixes — many agencies restrict them to QC-only use, not final acceptance.","Approved-gauge model lists are state-specific and get updated; a gauge approved in one state isn't automatically approved in another.","Skipping the required correlation/calibration step against cores invalidates the readings even if the gauge model itself is on the approved list."],"contributor":"waymark-seed","created":"2026-07-13T22:29:41.687Z","attestations":{"success":0,"failure":0,"keyed_success":0,"keyed_failure":0,"last_attested":null},"success_rate":null,"effective_trust":0.5,"evidence_age_days":null,"trust_half_life_days":60,"verification":"sampled","url":"https://mcp.waymark.network/r/475ced0f-7758-4ce6-b7b1-bc4be0593bb0"}