This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: E1703/E1703M − 10 (Reapproved 2023)

Standard Test Method for

Measuring Rut-Depth of Pavement Surfaces Using a
Straightedge1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1703/E1703M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:

1.1 This test method describes the procedure for the mea- 3.2.1 rut-depth, n—the maximum measured perpendicular
surement of the depth of the rut at a chosen location in a distance between the bottom surface of the straightedge and the
pavement surface using a straightedge and a gauge. contact area of the gauge with the pavement surface at a
specific location.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the 3.2.2 trueness, n—the lack of significant curvature,
inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in inclination, noteworthy elevations, or depressions.
each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system
4. Significance and Use
must be used independently of the other. Combining values
from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the 4.1 Rutted pavement surfaces may have an adverse influ-
specification. ence on vehicle handling characteristics and may impede
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the surface drainage, which may reduce friction properties and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the contribute to hydroplaning. Rutting indicates deformation or
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- wear of materials in the pavement and may be indicative of
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- problems such as asphalt flow, consolidation, shear, or loss of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. pavement materials.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- 4.2 The rut-depth value obtained using this test method may
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- not correlate well with values obtained using other methods.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 5. Apparatus
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 5.1 Straightedge:
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 5.1.1 Width—The bottom rectangular surface of the straight-
2. Referenced Documents edge shall be at least 19 mm [0.75 in.] but not more than
75 mm [3.0 in.] wide in the measurement plane.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 5.1.2 Length—The preferred lengths of the straightedge are
E867 Terminology Relating to Vehicle-Pavement Systems either 1.83 m [6 ft], 2 m [6.56 ft], 3 m [9.84 ft], 3.05 m [10 ft],
E2133 Test Method for Using a Rolling Inclinometer to 3.66 m [12 ft], or 4.88 m [16 ft]. The length shall ensure that
Measure Longitudinal and Transverse Profiles of a Trav- the straightedge spans the two highest points on either side of
eled Surface the rut. The minimum length shall be at least 1.73 m [5.67 ft].
3. Terminology 5.1.3 Trueness—The maximum out-of-trueness of the bot-
tom surface of the straightedge in the measurement plane shall
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test be less than 60.40 mm/m [60.005 in./ft] of length and less
method, refer to Terminology E867. than 62.5 mm/m [60.03 in./ft] of width. The straightedge
must be rigid enough so that it always meets this trueness.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E17 on Vehicle
- Pavement Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E17.31 on 5.2 Gauge:
Methods for Measuring Profile and Roughness. 5.2.1 The rut-depth measuring gauge shall be graduated to
Current edition approved March 1, 2023. Published March 2023. Originally 1 mm [1⁄16 in.] or finer. The bottom surface of the gauge shall
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E1703/E1703M – 10
(2015). DOI: 10.1520/E1703_E1703M-10R23. be at least 19 mm [0.75 in.] but not more than 75 mm [3.0 in.]
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or wide and span areas of aggregate loss and texture. The gauge
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM shall have sufficient range to accommodate the measurement.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. NOTE 1—The straightedge is not mounted on wheels like a rolling

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 E1703/E1703M − 10 (2023)
inclinometer; refer to Test Method E2133.

6. Procedure
6.1 Straightedge Placement:
6.1.1 Place the straightedge across the rut. Allow the
straightedge to rest upon the pavement at two contact areas,
such that sliding the straightedge along its length in both
directions will not change the contact areas on the pavement.
Avoid locating the contact area at discontinuities that are wider
than the straightedge bottom.
6.1.2 Place the straightedge in a plane perpendicular to the
direction of traffic movement. The bottom surface of the
straightedge shall be parallel to the longitudinal slope of the
pavement. Do not place the straightedge on any discontinuities
on the pavement surface, for example, potholes or loose debris.
6.1.3 The longitudinal interval between successive straight-
edge placement should be related to the precision required for
the use of the data.
6.2 Gauge Placement: NOTE 1—Fig. 1 represents only one type of rut configuration.
6.2.1 Place the gauge between the two contact areas per-
pendicular to the reference plane created by the bottom of the FIG. 1 Rut Configuration
straightedge and perpendicular to the longitudinal slope of the
pavement. The bottom of the gauge shall be in contact with the
pavement at the time of the measurement. Do not place the 7.1.3 Dimensions of the bottom surface of the straightedge,
gauge on any discontinuities on the pavement surface, for 7.1.4 Dimensions of the bottom surface of the gauge, and
example, potholes or loose debris (see Fig. 1). 7.1.5 Greatest rut-depth measurement (see 3.2.2) to the
nearest graduation of the gauge specified in 5.2.1.
6.3 Rut-Depth Measurement:
6.3.1 Measure the distance between the bottom surface of 8. Precision and Bias
the straightedge and the pavement after the gauge has been
placed as described in 6.1 and 6.2. 8.1 At this time no precision estimate from a statistically
6.3.2 Measurements should be made to the nearest gradua- designed series of tests at different locations has been obtained.
tion of the gauge. A sufficient number of measurements should 8.2 Since there is no accepted reference material suitable for
be made along the straightedge to determine the greatest determining the bias for the procedure for measuring the
distance between the straightedge and the pavement. The rut-depth of pavement surfaces using a straightedge, no state-
greatest distance can be measured between the two contact ment on bias is being made.
areas or along the full straightedge length. NOTE 2—The precision of each rut-depth measurement depends on the
design of the depth gauge, surface texture, and operator skill. The
7. Report
precision for the selected equipment should be determined by the user
7.1 Report at least the following information: through a statistically designed series of tests.
7.1.1 Date,
7.1.2 Test location to uniquely identify the data reported 9. Keywords
(such as: road number, station, offset, wheelpath, or lane), 9.1 gauge; rut; rut-depth; straightedge

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