ROAD PROFILE STUDY. FINAL REPORT

This study was undertaken to evaluate the overall usefulness of the Rainhart profilograph as a roughness measuring device, and to determine its ability to profile the roadway surface. Comparison testing was conducted utilizing the profilograph along with the 10-ft. rolling straightedge and the Mays Ride Meter on both portland cement concrete and hot mix asphaltic concrete surfaces. The profiling ability of the profilograph was studied by testing it over a surface with known (induced) areas of roughness. It was found that the digital counters of the profilograph are un-repeatable, and therefore not useable. The profilograph's graphical trace was found to be very repeatable, and when evaluated using a 0.1-in. blanking band, to correlate well with both the 10-ft. rolling straightedge and the Mays Ride Meter. It was determined that in most cases the profilograph produces a graphical trace which closely resembles the actual surface profile of the roadway. Recommendation for the development of profilograph "roughness" specifications and for profilograph utilization are included in this report.

Media Info

  • Pagination: n.p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00475192
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/LA-86/185, Rept No 185
  • Contract Numbers: Study No 83-1P(B)
  • Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Nov 30 1987 12:00AM