- Microtexture
-
Microtexture is the collative term for a material's crystallographic parameters and other aspects of microstructure: such as morphology, including size and shape distributions; chemical composition; and crystal orientation and relationships[1]
Contents
Vehicular pavement engineering
Microtexture (MiTx) is a family of wave-shaped road surface characteristics. While vehicle suspension deflection and dynamic tyre loads are affected by longer waves (roughness), road texture affects the interaction between the road surface and the tyre footprint. Microtexture has wavelengths shorter than 0.5 mm. Other types of road texture are Macrotexture and Megatexture (roads).
MiTx contributes to dry road surface friction.
It relates to the surface of the binder, of the ballast, and of contaminations such as rubber deposits from tires.
Typically, road agencies do not monitor MiTx directly, but indirectly by brake friction tests. However, friction also depends on other surface properties, such as Macrotexture.
Further reading
- Development of a Fundamental Skid Resistance Asphalt Mix Design Procedure, Pavement Management Service, Sydney, Australia
- Relationship of Aggregate Microtexture to Asphalt Pavement Skid Resistance, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, United States
Line notes
- ^ Microtexture Determination and its Applications (Second edition), V Randle, 2003
References
Categories:- Crystallography
- Road stubs
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.