Experimental Short-Wavelength Surface Textures in Portland Cement Concrete Pavements

Abstract

A cooperative research effort was undertaken by FHWA and Canada's Ministry of Transportation for Ontario (MTO) regarding experimental texturing of fresh portland cement concrete pavement. The goal of the research was to develop techniques that can fabricate surface textures having most of the aggressive texture size wavelength content within the 2- to 8-mm (80- to 300-mil) wavelength range, with mean texture depth size at approximately 1 mm (40 mil). This wavelength range is relatively short, and it is difficult to fabricate ultraflat textures with elevation variation only in this wavelength range. The research was initiated by FHWA, and an experimental texture test site was constructed in Ontario, Canada, under the guidance of the MTO. Five texture test sections were constructed and evaluated at the Ontario test site. The short wavelength transverse textures averaging approximately 8-mm (315-mil) spacing are quieter and appear to offer equal or better skid resistance than conventional deeper transverse tining having 16-mm (630-mil) groove spacing.