Overall Changes in Surface Characteristics after Diamond Grinding Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a case study to quantify the deterioration of a diamond-ground continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) surface in terms of macrotexture, skid resistance, ride quality, and pavement noise over time. The influence of site-specific features such as traffic speed and load, pretexturing prior to the grinding operation, lane, wheel path, and trafficking direction on the deterioration of the surface properties is considered. The four surface properties were measured before and immediately after the grinding operation and at three subsequent time intervals after 4, 9, and 15 months. Panel data analysis incorporating fixed effects was implemented to evaluate the influence of the site-specific features on the deterioration of the surface properties. The study provides statistical evidence of deterioration. A significant reduction in macrotexture and skid resistance was apparent. An increase in noise was evident soon after grinding. No significant change in roughness was found. The changes in the surface properties appear to be related to traffic over time but do not appear to be influenced by the pre-existing texturing prior to grinding. In summary, the diamond grinding of the studied CRCP pavement sections was not helpful to maintain the necessary skid resistance, texture, and pavement noise over the analysis period. However, diamond grinding was effective in maintaining a reduced roughness level and may be beneficial on any other CRCP pavements with harder aggregates.