Current quality assurance (QA) practice for in-place air void content (AV) relies on discrete coring to estimate percent-within-limits (PWL) and pay factor (PF). This paper evaluates PWL-based acceptance across different PF relations, using samples versus continuous AV from density-profiling systems (DPS). Analysis of PF equations (linear, quadratic, and aggressive linear) shows that limited sampling yields broad transition zones in OC curves (30–50% PWL units) and high producer and consumer risks near the 60% PWL threshold. In contrast, continuous measurement collapses these transitions, aligning acceptance with true quality and stabilizing EP around the acceptable-quality level (AQL). Across PF models, the aggressive linear equation is strictest at 60% PWL and most rewarding at perfect quality, the standard linear is comparatively lenient near the rejectable-quality level (RQL), and the quadratic model does not offer the 105% incentive tier. Validation with DPS field data from US31 (Michigan) confirms the simulation results. The findings support formal evaluation of continuous AV measurement as an alternative QA acceptance criterion.
Faisal et al. (2026) studied this question.