Evaluation methods of material surface macro-roughness

Abstract

In order to quantitatively evaluate the geomaterial surface characteristics, the surface roughness was divided into two kinds according to texture scale: micro-roughness at a micrometre or millimetre level and macro-roughness at a centimetre or decimetre level. The definition of surface macro-roughness was given. Four evaluation methods, digital survey method, contour line elongation method, roughness elements average height method and projected area ratio of platform and slope surface method, were put forward to evaluate the roughness of regular steps, inclined plane of different gradients and curved slope surfaces. Through analysing and comparing the merits and defects of the four evaluation methods, it is shown that digital survey method and roughness elements average height method are suitable for evaluating the surface macro-roughness of these three categories. To simply and conveniently evaluate the surface macro-roughness, the roughness elements’ average height method is recommended.