3D Characterization of Aggregates for Pavement Skid Resistance

Abstract

Aggregate morphological characteristics can play an important role in aggregate resistance to polishing and degradation. The Aggregate Imaging System (AIMS) has been one of the most widely used instruments for aggregate-property measurement during the last decade. This paper investigated the effectiveness of a newly developed laser triangulation–based portable three-dimensional (3D) scanner with ultrahigh resolution for exploring the changes of aggregate surface characteristics in 3D before and after the Micro-Deval abrasion and polishing process. The most typical aggregate types produced in Oklahoma were acquired and tested in the laboratory using the 3D scanner. Aggregate properties in terms of areal, volumetric, and textural parameters were evaluated and compared before and after polishing. Subsequently, multivariate analysis was performed to investigate the impacts of aggregate property changes before and after polishing on pavement surface friction deterioration. Field friction data were collected 3 times at 32 different treatment sites from 2016 to 2017. The findings from this study can assist the development of aggregate selection guidelines for improved skid resistance based on aggregate morphological properties.