This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: E1274 − 18

Standard Test Method for

Measuring Pavement Roughness Using a Profilograph1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1274; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 3.1.1 blanking band—a band of uniform height with its

1.1 This test method covers the measurement of pavement longitudinal center positioned optimally between the highs and
roughness using an articulated multi-wheeled profilograph at lows of the surface record depicting at least 100 ft (30 m) of
least 23 ft (7 m) long (Fig. 1 is typical). pavement (see Fig. 2).
3.1.2 cutoff height—a specified distance of a high on the
1.2 This test method utilizes a surface record made by
surface record from a chord representing 25 ft (7.5 m) on the
moving the profilograph longitudinally over the pavement at
longitudinal scale. The chord may represent less than 25 ft
less than 3 mph (5 km/hr). The record is analyzed to determine
(7.5 m) if it is from the lows on each side of the high (see Fig.
the rate of roughness and to identify bumps that exceed a
2).
specified threshold.
3.1.3 rate of roughness—sum of the roughness divided by
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
the longitudinal distance covered by the blanking band.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only 3.1.4 roughness—height of each continuous scallop rounded
and are not considered standard. to the nearest 0.05 in. (1 mm), except those less than 0.03 in.
(0.8 mm) vertically and 2 ft (0.6 m) longitudinally.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.1.5 scallops—excursions of the surface record above and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- below the blanking band (see Fig. 2).
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4. Significance and Use
See Section 6 for specific hazard statement. 4.1 This test method provides a means for measuring the
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- roughness of new or rehabilitated pavements. Results may
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- differ between profilographs of different designs and therefore
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the will not necessarily agree with roughness measurements by
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- other profilographs or other roughness-measuring equipment.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 5. Apparatus
5.1 Profilographs:
2. Referenced Documents
5.1.1 With Uniformly Spaced Wheels—A reference platform
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 comprised of dollies articulated by rigid members or trusses so
E2955 Practice for Simulating Profilograph Response to that all the wheels are supporting the profilograph. There must
Longitudinal Profiles of Traveled Surfaces be at least twelve reference platform wheels, and the axes of
these wheels must be uniformly spaced throughout the effec-
3. Terminology tive length of the profilograph.3 The effective length must be at
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: least 23 ft (7 m) long. A surface sensing wheel and recorder
shall be located at the center of the reference platform. The
diameter of the surface sensing wheel shall be at least 6 in.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E17 on Vehicle (150 mm). If the recorder is graphic, its scales shall be 1:1
- Pavement Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E17.31 on
Methods for Measuring Profile and Roughness. vertically and 1:300 longitudinally (1 in. = 25 ft). If the
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2018. Published January 2018. Originally recorder is digital (optional analog display must have the same
approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as E1274 – 03 (2017). scales as the graphic recorder), it must sample 5 times/
DOI: 10.1520/E1274-18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Hankins, Kenneth D., “Construction Control Profilograph Principles,” Re-
the ASTM website. search Report 49-1, Texas Highway Department, June 1967.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 E1274 − 18

FIG. 1 Typical Profilograph

6. Hazards
6.1 Since profilographs in the testing mode are moved no
faster than 3 mph (5 km/hr), do not operate near traffic without
proper traffic control devices and use procedures that ensure
the safety of testing personnel and the public.
NOTE 1—Fig. 2 is graphic for visual reading. It can be digital for
computer input.
FIG. 2 Surface Record 7. Sampling
7.1 Take profilograph recordings 3.5 6 0.5 ft (1.0 6 0.2 m)
from and parallel to both edges of the pavement and to both
sides of each planned longitudinal joint or in each planned
longitudinal inch of travel and record the relative height of the wheel path.
surface to at least the nearest 0.01 in. (0.25 mm).
7.2 Any exceptions to these sampling requirements (for
5.1.2 With Non-Uniformly Spaced Wheels—It shall be as
example, 25 ft from each bridge) must be stipulated.
described in 5.1.1, except the axes of the reference-platform
wheels are not uniformly spaced but are at least 1 ft (0.3 m)
8. Calibration
apart so no two wheels cross the same bump at the same time.
The recorder can be located elsewhere, but surface sensing 8.1 Height Recording:
equipment must be located at the center of the reference 8.1.1 Place gauge blocks of 0.5 in. (10 mm) and 1.5 in.
platform. A common apparatus with non-uniformly spaced (60 mm) under the surface sensing wheel. The record must
wheels is the California profilograph. indicate the actual height of each platform within 60.02 in.
5.1.3 There are differences in frequency responses between (0.5 mm).
profilographs with uniformly spaced wheels and profilographs 8.1.2 Verify the standardization of the height recording
with non-uniformly spaced wheels (see Fig. 3). before any week of use, whenever the profilograph is re-
5.2 Blanking Band Template (optional)—Approximately assembled and whenever there is evidence of possible inaccu-
2-in. (50-mm) wide clear plastic strip at least 4 in. (100 mm) racy.
long. A common length is 21.12 in. The center of the template 8.2 Distance Recording:
is marked with an opaque strip the width of the stipulated 8.2.1 Mark a distance of 100.00 ft (30.00 m) on reasonably
blanking band throughout its length and with lines every 0.1 in. even pavement. Move the profilograph forward until a particu-
(2 mm) above and below the blanking band. lar point is at the first mark and make the recorder mark the
5.3 Excessive Height Template (optional)—Clear plastic event on the record. Move the profilograph forward again until
piece marked with a 1.00 6 0.02-in. (25.0 6 0.5-mm) line that the point is at the second mark and make the recorder to mark
is the stipulated cutoff height distance from a straight edge on this event, too. The record must indicate 100 6 1 ft (30.0 6
the template. Two small holes may be drilled to fix the ends of 0.3 m) between the two events (4.00 6 0.04 in. on graphic
the line (see Fig. 2). record).

2
 E1274 − 18

NOTE 1—This figure comes from Walker, Roger S., and H.-T. Lin, The University of Texas at Arlington, Research Project 8-10-87-569, “Correlation
of California and Rainhart Profilographs with PSI,” conducted for Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation in cooperation with
the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The two graphs on the first row of Fig. 3 are referenced to California profilograh
with non-uniformly spaced wheels. The two graphs on the second row of Fig. 3 are referenced to Rainhart profilograh with uniformly spaced wheels.
FIG. 3 Computer Simulation of Profilograph Responses to Sinusoidal Inputs of Different Periods (Wavelengths)

8.2.2 Verify the standardization of the distance recording conditions may be made on the record only as they occur.
before any month of use and whenever there is evidence of Observe the recorder for any unusual operation.
possible inaccuracy. 9.4 Upon completion of a sampling path, make ending
9. Procedure notations and review the recording for reasonableness. Repeat
the procedure for successive sampling paths.
9.1 Clear the intended profilograph path of all loose material
and foreign objects. 10. Calculation
9.2 If possible, move the profilograph about 30 ft (10 m) NOTE 1—Calculations can be done manually with the blanking band
and excessive height templates or electronically with routines in a
forward to the starting point. Once there, initialize the recorder computer. Refer to Practice E2955 for further details on numerical
and make beginning notations. simulation of profilograph and trace reduction methods such as blanking
9.3 Move the profilograph forward no faster than 3 mph bands and bump templates.
(5 km ⁄hr), steering it to stay within that prescribed sampling 10.1 Apply the blanking band to successive lengths of the
path. Pertinent observation about surveyed location or unusual surface record. Determine the roughness from each scallop.

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 E1274 − 18
Add all roughness for each stipulated segment. From the 11.1.2 Cutoff height to the nearest 0.05 in. (1 mm), (for
surface record, determine the longitudinal distance between the example, 0.3 in.),
farthest points of the beginning and ending scallops or absence 11.1.3 Profilograph with or without uniformly spaced refer-
thereof. Divide the result of the addition by the corresponding ence platform wheels, and
longitudinal distance to calculate the rate of roughness for that
11.1.4 Length of each segment for which the rate of
segment of that path.
roughness is calculated.
10.2 Apply the excessive height chord to the top of each
wave on the surface record. Identify all bumps that are 12. Precision and Bias
excessively high by their locations.
12.1 The precision and bias of this test method are being
11. Report determined.
11.1 The following information shall be given for each
specific application: 13. Keywords
11.1.1 Height of blanking band to nearest 0.05 in. (1 mm), 13.1 graphic surface record; pavement; roughness
(for example, 0.1 or 0.2 in.),

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