Introduction

Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem and ways & means are
guided and given to the students. However the answers to the assignment are left to the
students to solve using the group creativity and innovativeness. The activity is hoping to
slowly introduce and inculcates independent learning amongst students and prepare them for
a much harder task of open-ended laboratory activities. In this laboratory activity the students
are required to carry out a study to determine the depth of surface texture at a particular
location.

Objectives
The objective of the study is:
1. To evaluate the surface drainage of a surface course of a pavement and its relationship
with skid resistance value.

Theoretical Background
An outflow meter is a device that measures the time taken by a known quantity of water,
under gravitational pull, to escape through voids in the pavement texture. The technique is
intended to measure the ability of the pavement to relieve pressure from the face of the
vehicular tires and thus an indication of hydroplaning potential under wet conditions.

Problem statement
Provision of sufficient surface drainage is an important in the location and geometric design
of roadways. Inadequate drainage will eventually result in serious damage and accidents.
Recently, during heavy rainfalls, water accumulated on the pavement causing few vehicles
skidded. Your group has been appointed to conduct a study in order to measure the surface
drainage texture of the major road and discuss on the result.

Apparatus
i. Outflow meter
ii. Stopwatch
iii. Tap water

Procedure
1. The outflow meter is placed on a pavement surface.
2. Tap water is filled into the outflow meter until the 2500ml gradation .
3. The stopper in the outflow meter is opened and the time for the water to reach 500ml from
2500ml is recorded.
4. Steps 1-5 are repeated three times for the smooth, intermediate and rough surface.
5. The data collected are tabulated.
DATA ACQUISITION

mm 3
Type of Surface Volume, mm3 Time Taken, s Rate of Flow,
s

X 30 66.67 × 103
Y 2,000,000 110 18.18 × 103
Z 530 3.77 × 103

Graph

Rate of Flow (mm3/s)

80

70 66.67

60

50

40

30

20 18.18

10
3.77
0
X Y Z

Rate of Flow (e+3)

 Time Taken (s)
600
530
500

400

300

200

110
100
30
0
X Y Z

Time Taken
DISCUSSION
Pavement surface is important for road traffic safety and operations. With the study of
different level of pavement surface, it allows for better grip between vehicles tires and road
surfaces. Most road surfaces have adequate performance in the dry condition as compared
during wet condition. The presence of water between tyres and road surface reduces the
effective contact areas, which are needed to create the respective ‘grip’. To know the grip of
the pavement surface, must do the surface drainage test.
From this experiment, the grip of the pavement surface can affect the rate flow of water.
During test, the different type of surface was be measured in this experiment. The experiment
result at the different surface is not same. At the X surface, the time taken of the water get out
from the outflow meter is 10 s. so the rate of flow is 66.67 ×10 3 mm³/s. Then, for the Y
surface, the time taken of the water get out from the outflow meter is 110 s. so the rate of
flow is 18.18 ×103 mm³/s. Lastly, at Z surface, the time taken of the water get out from the
outflow meter is 530 s. so the rate of flow is 3.77 ×103 mm³/s. From the result, this show that
the more time taken for outflow meter, the lower of rate of flow that will able to get.
The characteristics of pavement surface texture which enable vehicle’s tire to grip effectively
and efficiently to the road surface is important for safety on the road especially at high speed
of travel. When analysis the data, can know the grip of the road surface at the middle is more
grip than side surface. This is because the road surface is had been friction for many types of
vehicles in a one day and the surface can be terminate by the load of the vehicles passing
away this road.

Conclusion
Based on the experiment that had been conducted, the objective for this experiment is to
determine the effect of mean texture depth (MTD) and connectivity on surface water
dispersion (to evaluate the pavement surface texture drainage) by using an outflow water.
Surface drainage is concerned with removing all water that is present on the pavement
surface, shoulder surface or any other surface from which it may flow onto the pavement. If
not systematically removed, this water can accumulate underneath and weaken the pavement
structure. There are three primary means used to prevent water infiltration and accumulation:
Impermeable pavement surface. An impermeable surface will protect the underlying
subgrade from water sources above. Permeability concerns are different for flexible and rigid
pavements.
Slope. The pavement section should be sloped to allow rainwater to sheet flow quickly to the
edge where it is typically collected in a curb and gutter system or a roadside ditch. A
generally accepted standard is a 2 percent cross slope.
Grade. The curb and gutter or roadside ditch must be properly graded to allow flow to central
collection points such as catch basins or detention ponds. A generally accepted standard is a
grade of 0.5 percent or more although lesser grades have been used effectively.
REFERENCE
1. https://www.astm.org/DIGITAL_LIBRARY/STP/PAGES/STP39043S.htm

2. Outflow meter methods by Worldwide Science

https://worldwidescience.org/topicpages/o/outflow+meter+methods.html