SAND PATCH TEST

INTRODUCTION
Level 2 laboratory activities refer to the condition where only the problem is guided and
given. Students are required to find the ways & means and provide the answers to the given
assignment using the group creativity and innovativeness. The activity will enable the
students to appreciate independent learning and prepare them for a much harder task of open
ended laboratory activities.
In this partially open laboratory activity the students are required to carry out a study to
determine the depth of surface texture at a particular location.

OBJECTIVE
To measure the average depth of the surface texture of an asphaltic concrete pavement.

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Sample site should normally be selected by a random sampling technique. Ensure that the
pavement surface is clear of dirt and debris by sweeping the surface with a small brush. The test
area is to be clear of surface cracking. The pavement surface must be dry to achieve satisfactory
results. The average texture depth may be calculated by dividing the volume of sand by the
area of the sand patch.

Texture depth (mm) =

4V
x 103
2
d

where :
d = average diameter of sand patch circle (mm)
V = volume of sand used (usually 50 or 100 cm3)

PROBLEM STATEMENT
Texture is a surface characteristic which has a very wide influence on pavements functional
quality. For new road surface, it is recommended that sand patch test for compliance checking
should be carried out prior to opening to traffic including construction traffic.
Your group has been appointed to conduct a highway assessment in order to measure the
average depth of surface texture and discuss on the result. The location of the study is
randomly selected in the campus area of UiTM Pasir Gudang

APPARATUS
Sand
Measuring beaker
Ruler
Spreader disc with surface covered by rubber
Wooden brush

PROCEDURE
1. Select the spot on the road to be tested, normally in the nearside wheel track. The
surface of the pavement is cleaned from any sand or small stone by using the wooden
brush.
2. Pour 30ml of sand into the measuring cylinder and pour on the road surface.
3. By using the spreader disk, spread the sand in a circular direction until the sand were
spread evenly.
4. The diameter of the sand were measured and recorded in the table.
5. Take the diameter of the sand 3 different direction and take the average.
6. Repeat the step in 3 different pleace.

Result
Location

Volume Of
Sand, V
(cm3)

Left

30.0

Centre

30.0

Right

30.0

Analysis
Left
2

V=

d h
4

h=

4V
d2

h=

4 (30)
20.62

h=0.090 cm
Centre
2

V=

d h
4

h=

4V
d2

h=

4 (30)
21.92

h=0.080 cm
Right

Diameter, d
(cm)
21.0
20.0
20.0
21.5
19.0
24.0
23.0
21.5
17.9
22.5
21.4
21.5

Average
Diameter, d
(cm)

Depth, h
(cm)

20.6

0.090

21.9

0.080

20.8

0.088

V=

d h
4

h=

4V
d2

h=

4 (30)
20.82

h=0.088 cm