Profile Analysis of Arizona Specific Pavement Studies 5 Project

Abstract

This paper characterizes the longitudinal profiles of 11 pavement sections within the Arizona Long-Term Pavement Performance Specific Pavement Studies 5 project throughout their service life. The flexible pavements associated with this project were rehabilitated and monitored as part of the study. Road profile measurements were collected on the in-service pavement before rehabilitation and 12 times over the 16 years afterward. Detailed profile analyses of the sections, including calculating roughness values, examining the spatial distribution of roughness, viewing with postprocessing filters, and examining spectral properties are included here. The value of examining performance with the full suite of methods is demonstrated, and these analyses provided a basis for quantifying and explaining the changes in localized roughness and overall roughness with time as well as for linking profile properties to each section's maintenance history and observations of surface distress. The analysis showed that the two test sections with a 2-in. recycled overlay exhibited the largest postrehabilitation increase in roughness. The two test sections with a 5-in. virgin overlay exhibited the smallest postrehabilitation increase in roughness. Much of the increase in roughness on the roughest test sections was caused by narrow dips at transverse cracks.