Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ATM No. 6
ISBN 0 86910 272 9
ISSN 031 3-895X
LIBRARY
[-
w7=
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RESEARCH BOARD
TECHNICAL MANUAL
r APPLICATION SUMMARY
Australian Road Research Board
AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE
WORK REPORTED, THE
FOLLOWING ACTION IS
RECOMMENDED ...................... The pendulum tester should be periodically calibrated
using the procedures outlined in this report.
RELATED CURRENTARAB
RESEARCH ........................... Project 241 - Store of standard stone (for PSV testing).
CUT OUT INFORMATION I SUMMARY: Procedures which ARRB employs when calibrating pendulum friction I
RETRIEVAL CARD testers against the ARRB reference instrument are described in detail.
Certain
instrument features must be adjusted, or repaired where necessary, and the spring
i
tension set to a value calculated for each instrument. The instrument is cross- I
I checked on a prescribed range of test surfaces against the ARRB reference instru-
'ment. Details are given of the criteria which an instrument must meet before it
is classed as acceptable.
I
REFERENCE: OLIVER, J.W.H. and WITT., H.P. (1978). Detailed procedures for
ARRB TransportResearchLtd Icalibration of the British portable skid resistance tester. Australian Road
Research Board. Technical Manual , ATM b .6.
0023649 1
by
J.W.H. OLIVER
Senior Research Scientist
and
H.P. WITT
Research Scientist
January 1978
Australian Road Research Board
500 Burwood Highway
Vermont South
Victoria
The ATM series of reports was created by the Board to quickly, and
economically, reproduce the conclusions of road and road transport
research subjects for those associated with road and road transport indus-
try. Unlike other technical publications produced by the Australian Road
Research Board, ARR and ATM reports are not reviewed by referees or
ARRB Directors. The opinions expressed by the authors do not
necessarily represent those of the Board.
Reference to, or reproduction of this report must include a precise
reference to the report.
ISSN 0313-895X
ISBN 086910 2729
CONTENTS
Page
1. INTRODUCTION
1
1.1 Principle of Operation of Tester 1
1.2 Requirement for Calibration 1
1.3 Scheme of Work 2
2. TRANSPORT OF THE INSTRUMENT 2
3. CHECK AND ADJUSTMENT OF INSTRUMENT FEATURES 2
4. ADJUSTMENT OF SPRING TENSION 6
4.1 Determination of Instrument Constants 6
4.2 Setting the Effective Spring Tension (P) 6
5. CROSS-CHECK WITH REFERENCE INSTRUMENT 7
5.1 Procedure 7
6. CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTANCE 8
7. DOCUMENTATION AND COST OF SERVICE 9
SUMMARY
1. INTRODUCTION
Development of the Portable Skid Resistance Tester, also known as the British
Pendulum Tester, was begun by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
in 1952. It was intended that the instrument would be used to assess the skid-
resisting properties of road surfaces. Although the machine is still used to
measure low speed skid resistance of pavement surfaces, its major use is now in
a test which predicts the frictional value a road stone will reach after polish-
ing by traffic. This value is known as the Polished Stone Value (PSV) and
details of the operation of the instrument in the test are given in British
Standard 812:Part 3 (1975). It is expected that an Australian Standard which
will include this type of test will be issued shortly.
The basic features of the instrument are shown in Fig 1. To make a measurement,
the pendulum, with the spring-loaded rubber slider attached to its foot, is
'passed across the wetted surface of the specimen by releasing the pendulum from
a catch, which holds it in the horizontal position. As the slider passes across
the surface of the specimen some of the energy of the pendulum is lost, the
exact amount depending upon the co-efficient of friction betweenthe slider and
the specimen. The residual energy is determined by measuring,by means of a
pointer, the maximum 'upswing' height reached by the pendulum on the graduated
scale. The scale reading value is related to the co-efficient of friction
(Sabey and Cardew, 1963) but is normally termed the 'skid resistance value'
(SRV).
When the pendulum tester is used to test the curved specimens used in
the Polished Stone Value test, the 76 mm wide rubber slider is replaced by a
narrow one, 32 mm wide. Also, for this application, the values on the graduated
scale must be divided by 0.6 in order to compensate for the reduction in sliding
distance from 126 mm to 76 mm.
Instruments received at ARRB are unpacked and examined for signs of obvious
damage. Certain basic measurements are made as indicated in the work sheet
shown in Fig 2. A cross-check of the instrument, in its 'as received' condition,
against the reference instrument (see Fig 3) is carried out according to the
procedure defined in section 5.1, for data collection purposes and to give an
indication of the magnitude of any error in testing done prior to calibration.
These cross-check results should not be used to correct the results of previous
tests.
Each instrument will be checked and adjusted according to the scheme shown in
the work sheet (see Fig 5). Repairs will be carried out as necessary. When
any adjustments or measurements are made which depend on the foot being main-
tained in the lateral (at right angles to the direction of sliding) position
ATM No.6 3
which it assumes during normal operation, the bearing housing cap and the height
control clamping knob must be fully tightened.
Levelling Feet.
Since wear of the screw thread on the levelling feet can cause movement of the
instrument to occur during testing, locking collars should be fitted to any in-
struments not already equipped with them.
Foot.
Inspect the casting for damage and check that the slider lever system operates
smoothly. If there is undue friction or any evidence of damage or corrosion in
the bearings or knife edge, then the lever system should be dismantled. In this
case, the bearings should be cleaned and lubricated or replaced if found to be
faulty. The slider loading lever and knife edges should be inspected for signs
of damage or corrosion and these should either be cleaned or replaced as necess-
a ry.
The slider plate lever should be checked for signs of damage and to
ensure that its geometry conforms to that specified in the drawings. The pos-
ition of the slider plate lever stop and the machining of the mating surface
of the slider plate lever determine the slider angle. A design change has
occurred in these two items since the drawings held by ARRB, dated July 1959,
were prepared. If the angle which the slider makes with the horizontal, when
the arm is hanging freely, lies within the range of 24 to 26, then it is
likely that the assembly conforms with the current design.
ARRB has found a significant error in the location of the hole with
respect to the drawings in approximately half of the instruments examined. In-
correctly drilled holes were located at various positions on either side of the
correct location. ARRB has manufactured a special jig to check the position of
the hole and the slider lifting handle geometry. If necessary, the hole should
be plugged, and a new one drilled.
The setting screw in the lifting handle (see Fig 9), which is used in conjunction
with a 6 m spacer bar to roughly set the sliding distance to about 126 mm, can
prove a source of trouble. Most users do not employ this screw to set sliding
distance, and in spite of having a lock nut fitted, it can move. If this happens
it can cause the lifting handle to exert tension on the slider when the latter
is resting against its stop inside the foot casting. Users should periodically
check that the lifting handle can be moved freely at least 1 mm from its stop
ATM No.6
4
Arm.
The pendulum arm should be checked for straightness. In the event of damage
occurring, the arm frequently bends at the point where it enters the casting.
It may not be possible to detect the bend by sighting along the arm and a check
should be made that the arm is perpendicular to the machined surfaces on top of
the foot.
Check the mating of the swinging arm adaptor with the bearing housing. The hole for
the locating pin should not be worn as this can prevent the arm from being
reproducibly located after removal from the instrument. If necessary, the hole
should be plugged and a new one drilled at another position.
Pivot Bearing.
Felt Washers.
The felt washers are designed to operate in an oil impregnated condition. Should
these washers dry out at any time it will not be possible to obtain consistent
results with the instrument. The washers should be cleaned in a solvent or
replaced as necessary. The cleaned or new washers are inserted into the annular
space in the pointer centre and lubricated liberally with a light oil. Excess
oil is removed by tightening the pointer friction thrust plate more than normal
and turning the pointer back and forth several times.
Pointer.
When the pointer stop screw is correctly adjusted, the pointer tip must be
aligned with the centre line of the swinging arm. If this condition cannot be
satisfied or the pointer is excessively bent, then a new pointer should be
fitted.
Level.
With the instrument correctly levelled the zero of the scale should be 10 mm
below the horizontal line passing through the centre of the pivot, the swinging
arm should be horizontal when held in position by the release catch, and the
ATM No.6 5
To adjust levels, the swinging arm, pivot bearing housing and complete
pointer bearing assembly are removed. A solid straight edge is placed on the
bearing surface of the spindle nearer the scale and clamped to the scale so
that it is parallel to the line passing through the spindle centre and a point
10 mm above the zero mark on the scale. ARRB has a special tool for doing this
operation. An accurate level is placed on this straight edge and the levelling
feet adjusted until the level reads correctly.
A suitable level is placed on the spindle along its axis and the rear
levelling foot adjusted to make the spindle level. The levelling feet locking
collars are then tightened.
The previous levels are re-checked and the inbuilt spirit level set
with the bubble in the centre of the marked ring. Shims are inserted, if
necessary, and the spirit level secured.
Release Mechanism.
Ihe release mechanism is checked for smoothness of operation. If the catch does
not allow the release lug on the arm to fall cleanly then it is impossible to
obtain consistent results with the instrument. If there is any evidence of
jamming, the mechanism should be disassembled, cleaned, lubricated and adjusted.
Height Adjustment.
The rack and pinion movement of the height adjustment should operate smoothly
but be sufficiently stiff to prevent the instrument body sliding under its own
weight when it is unclamped. Normally only cleaning and lubrication is required.
The stiffness of the rack and pinion can be adjusted by means of the screws
securing the rack to the support column.
(1) Parallelism.
The operating edge of the slider should be parallel to the bearing spindle.
This is achieved in practice by ensuring that the graduated scale, the front
edge of the base casting and the edge of the slider foot are parallel.
The graduated scale is checked with the dimensions given in the drawings using
a transparent overlay. If any graduation line differs by more than 0.5 SRV
units from the position marked in the drawings,then a correction table should
be prepared for the instrument. The ancillary PSV scale is also checked, the
tolerance allowed being 0.15 PSV units (assuming PSV is 100 times values marked
on the ancillary scale).
ATM No.6
The method for determining the instrument constants and setting the effective
spring tension is that recommended by TRRL (Sabey 1960). An itemised procedure
is given and the work sheet shown in Fig 6 should be used with these instructions.
The mass of the swinging arm assembly complete with large slider and
adaptor M (kg) is measured to the nearest 5 g. It must be in the range
1.5 + 0.03 kg.
The distance from the centre of gravity of the swinging arm to the centre
of oscillation (centre of pivot) X (mm) is determined as follows.
The swinging arm assembly is removed by unscrewing the adaptor nut and,
with the adaptor nut at its extreme position, the swinging arm assembly
is balanced as shown in Fig 7. After the point of balance has been
obtained the position of the counterweight is adjusted until the sides
of the foot are horizontal. The arm is replaced on the pivot and the
distance of the point of balance from the centre of oscillation (see Fig
7) is measured to the nearesl 1 mm. It must be in the range 410 + 5 mm.
With the arm removed, the 'out of balance' of the head (pivot bearing
housing) is found by balancing a smell IIIdSS, W (kg), on the pointer stop
bracket at a distance V (mm) from the centre of oscillation. The product
W.V is equal to the 'out of balance moment' of the head, w.y. (see Fig 8).
If W.V is less than 1 then its effect may be neglected when calculating
the effective spring tension.
The mass p (kg) necessary to balance the effective spring tension is calculated
from the equation (Sabey 1960).
The small retaining plate covering the lifting handle on the foot is re-
moved, exposing a tapped hole with a 6 B.A thread into which a small
spindle may be screwed. The adaptor, nut and clamp from the swinging
arm assembly is removed.
With the swinging arm assembly inverted and vertical and a 76 mm slider
in position, a mass p (kg) is suspended from the spindle(see Fig 9). The
spring tension is then adjusted by means of the tensioning screw at the
far end of the arm until, on displacement, the lifting handle returns to
its middle position. The complete range of movement of the slider when
the lifting handle is moved through its entire range should not be less
than 6 mm.
The final part of the calibration procedure involves a test of the instrument
on standard surfaces and comparison of the results with those obtained by the
reference instrument. The comparison testing is based on that described in
BS 812 (1975). It is expected that the Australian Standard on aggregate polish-
ing will specify the same testing.
5.1 PROCEDURE
The test instrument and the reference instrument are each centred on their base
using an engraved specimen locating plate to ensure that the slider on both
instruments contacts the same area on all test surfaces. The instruments are
then levelled by means of the inbuilt levels and recentred if necessary.
a glass plate,
The rubber slider can polish stone surfaces during testing thereby re-
ducing their frictional value. The ARRB test surfaces have been stabilised
by polishing with abrasive during manufacture.
Each specimen is tested over a sliding length of 126 mm with both instru-
ments. The zero setting on both instruments is checked before each new sample
-
ATM No.6
8
is inserted. The sample is placed on the base plate such that the same specimen
area is tested by both machines. The first surface is tested with the reference
instrument first, then with the instrument to be calibrated. The order of test-
ing is then reversed for each successive test surface in order to eliminate any
possible bias in the overall mean results due to polishing of surfaces by the
slider.
A test consists of five swings of the pendulum over the specimen surface.
The surface is wetted before each swing. A test result is the mean of the last
three swings reported to the nearest whole number. The results are recorded on
a work sheet (see Fig 10).
The mass of the swinging arm assembly complete with the adaptor and a
76 mm slider should be in the range 1.47 to 1.53 kg.
The mass of the pointer assembly (excluding felt washers) should not be
more than 85 g.
The disLance between the centre of gravity of the swinging arm assembly
and the centre of oscillation (see section 4.1) should be in the range 405 to
415 mm.
The mass necessary to balance the spring tension (see section 4.2) should
be in the range 2.20 to 2.35 kg.
The slider movement using the lifting handle should not be less than 6 mm.
The distance from the axis of suspension to the slider edge (pendulum
hanging freely) should be in the range 513 to 517 mm.
The angle which the bottom surface of the slider makes with the horizontal
when the pendulum is in the plumb position should be in the range 24 to 26
degrees.
When the test instrument is compared with the reference instrument accord-
ing to the procedure described in section 5, the results from the two instruments
on any one test surface should not differ by more than three units and the means
of the results on the eleven different surfaces should not differ by more than
1.5 units.
ATM No.6
JLO
'I
REFERENCES
BRITISH STANDARD 812 : 1975. Methods for sampling and testing of mineral
aggregates, sands and fillers. Part 3 - Mechanical Properties. British
Standards Institution.
SABEY, B.E. (1960). Procedure for checking the calibration of R.R.L. portable
skid-resistance testers. Research Note No. RN/3853/BES. Transport and Road
Research Laboratory.
Release arm
-n Friction adjustment
LO rings Adaptor Release catch
nut
Far end
of pointer\
CD
CD Rubber
0
0) slider
0
CD
Pendutum
-c arm
0
-S
rt- Graduated
0)
0 scale 110
120 Foot
CD ..130 J L
C),
.-__-------- Height
0 control
-.5
CD
U,.
CF
0)
C)
CD Spirit
c-F level
CD
U) hhIiihl_.... Levelling
c-f-
CD Locking collar L1_ screw
-S
Specimen
ATM No.6 12
OWNER OF INSTRUMENT
L 1
INSTRUMENT NUMBER (body/head)
[ 1
DATE OF ORIGINAL CALIBRATION
1
WAS INSTRUMENT PACKED SECURELY
[ 1
(a) Assemble Instrument on base
Measure and record distance of Centre of gravity from pivot point (X)
mml
Report No.
Instrument No.
Date
Fig 2.
ATM No.6
13
PSV-1
PSV - 2
Laboratory Temperature
I
Report No.
Instrument No.
Date.
Fig 3.
14
ATM No.6
15
Report No.
Instrument No.
Date.
Fig 5.
ATI'4 No.6 16
M (kg) 1.47-1.53
X (mm) 405-415
W (kg)
V (mm)
W.V
Required P (kg)
P = 0.0037 (M.X + W.Y) 2.20-2.35
(neglect W.V if value less than 1)
R0.011.H (kg)
Report No.
Instrument No.
Date
Fig 6.
0
Ax
Side plates to
Adjustable be horizontal
Adaptor nut
balance weight
(counterweiaht)
J.
Knife edge
Centre of (point of balance)
oscillation
V
x
tI
EfJ&_- Tensioning screw
ATM No.6
20
REFERENCE TEST
SAMPLE INSTRUMENT INSTRUMENT
NO. (A) (B) AB
READINGS READINGS
Laboratory Temperature
1
Report No.
Instrument No.
Date.
Fig 10.
ATM No.6 21
Instrument No.
Calibration plate attached
I [ate
Fig 11.