DEVELOPMENT OF A SPECIFICATION TO CONTROL RIGID PAVEMENT ROUGHNESS

During a recent study of factors influencing the riding quality of rigid pavement, compliance with the existing roughess specification was found not to ensure a smooth pavement. Because the 10-ft (3.05-m) strainghtedge used to check the surface can detect only large bumps, the remaining undetected roughness may result in unsatisfactory riding quality. This paper describes the development of a specification to ensure good riding quality in new pavements. The California profilograph was selected as the measurement device because it provides detailed information. Based on results of a subjective panel rating of pavement riding quality in New York State a project average profile index of 12 in./mile (190 mm/km) and a daily average of 15 in./mile (237 mm/km) are allowed. A limit is also placed on the size of individual bumps. These limits ensure user satisfaction but can be met by paving contractors using current procedures and equipment. Responsibility for controlling roughness during paving is left to the contractor, and the state measures the quality of the completed pavement. To ensure compliance with the specification, the payment received depends on the riding quality achieved. Development of the reduced payment schedule--based on the cost of overlaying the pavement before the end of its design life--is outlined. The years of service expected are related to the initial roughness by means of equations developed in the AASHO Road Test.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1975/535/535-001.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=DEVELOPMENT+OF+A+SPECIFICATION+TO+CONTROL+RIGID+PAVEMENT+ROUGHNESS&author=J.+Bryden&publication_year=1975
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Rigid Pavement Construction. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Bryden, James E
• Conference:
  • 54th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia
  • Date: 1975-1-13 to 1975-1-17
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 1-13
• Monograph Title: Concrete pavement construction and joints and loader-truck production studies
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 535
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete pavements; Contractors; Contracts; Durability; Equations; Pavements; Paving; Payment; Riding qualities; Roughness; Smoothness; Specifications
• Identifier Terms: AASHO Road Test
• Old TRIS Terms: Pavement smoothness
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Construction; Finance; Highways; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00099906
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309023866
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Nov 5 1975 12:00AM