POWER SPECTRAL DENSITY ANALYSIS OF ROAD PROFILES FOR ROAD DEFECT ASSESSMENT
In Australia, the road pavement condition, at a network level, is currently assessed using visual observations and profile-based indexes. The NAASRA roughness count and International Roughness Index (IRI) measure aspects of road roughness that induce suspension movement in passenger cars. Though these indexes are an indicator of car ride comfort, they do not give much information regarding the effect on truck ride or type of road failure. A power spectral density (PSD) analysis of a road profile, however, can give more detailed information about the pavement surface, including roughness information for specific longitudinal wavelengths. This paper briefly explains PSD analysis and methods of presenting the results. Profiles of a number of rough and smooth sections of road, obtained using a laser profiler, are analysed with IRI and PSD methods. The results from each method are compared, with particular reference to the types and extent of roughness detected. Preliminary estimates of wavelength bands are made for different failure types. Wavelengths greater than 35 m are found in smooth pavements after construction. Wavelengths shorter than 2 m indicate forms of pavement surface failure. Between these bands, wavelengths that form due to differential subgrade movement have been identified. The sensitivity of the PSD functions to each type of roughness is demonstrated using comparative plots and root mean square (RMS) values of profile slope for particular wave bands. (a)
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/26087078
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Corporate Authors:
ARRB
Melbourne, Victoria Australia -
Authors:
- MANN, A V
- McManus, K J
- HOLDEN, J C
- Publication Date: 1997-9
Language
- English
Media Info
- Features: References;
- Pagination: p. 36-47
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Serial:
- Road and Transport Research
- Volume: 6
- Issue Number: 3
- Publisher: ARRB
- ISSN: 1037-5783
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Evaluation and assessment; Pavements; Profilometers; Properties of materials; Slopes; Smoothness; Surfaces
- ITRD Terms: 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 3071: Evenness; 2955: Pavement; 6103: Profilometer; 5925: Properties; 2831: Slope (terrain); 6438: Surface
- Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00745970
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: ARRB
- Files: ITRD, ATRI
- Created Date: Mar 24 1998 12:00AM