This paper describes the development of a standard methodology for measuring pavement surface texture. The traditional sand or volumetric patch method was seen as a crude measure which did not always produce reliable results. The draft standard required recording of a surface profile curve by means of a profilometer. Data was analysed to obtain a measure representing the volume between a plane through the peaks of the texture and the textured surface underneath. Mean profile depth could be converted to estimated texture depth if required. The new standard was for use in field and laboratory tests, with other physical tests, on pavement samples to assess friction and noise characteristics, pavement quality and suitability of paving materials or finishing techniques. It was not intended to provide a complete assessment of surface texture characteristics.
Abstract