Pavement roughness and ride correction procedures for jointed concrete pavements.

PDFTech ReportFHWA/LA-94-285LA HPR 87-1P(B)RoughnessPavement performanceServiceabilityPortland cement concreteMeasurementRide qualityProfilographsMainline meteringLouisianaLouisiana Transportation Research CenterCumbaa, Steven L.Louisiana Transportation Research CenterUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionThis sutdy was intiated in an effort to assist the department in responding to nationwide trends that are directed toward the desire to construct mainline Jionted Portland Cement Concrete Pavements to an as-built Serviceability Index (SI) of 4.5 or greater. At the beginning of this study it was clear that existing specifications and procedures were not resulting in the level of pavement smoothness desired. It was felt that combined improvements in construction procedures, roughness measurement and specifications may allow an SI level of 4.5 or greater to be routinely achievable on rural interstate rigid pavement construction. The study primarily compared the ability of several roughness measuring devices to measure and locate roughness and the ability of grinding to lessen roughness and presents recommendations for changes in current roughness measurement specifications. It was found through this study that the California Style profilograph is the preferred instrument (of the instruments evaluated) to utilize one mainline JPCC pavements for construction control, grinding and acceptance. It was also observed that an SI level of 4.5 will not routinely be achievable even though the profilograph is utilized and roughness specifications are set much lower (tighter) than the nationwide norm. Additionally it was observed that grinding will not provide substantial increases in pavement serviceability levels. To obtain smooth pavements they must be constructed smooth without resorting to extensive grinding