Surface Profile Inspection Guide
A surface profile of concrete or asphalt is a number associated with the material’s desired roughness or texture and its general appearance. It helps in determining if the surface is fit for a specific purpose. Roughness can be an indicator for:
Wear-ability
Friction coefficients
Performance in terms of cracks or corrosion
Adhesive properties
The lower the surface profile (SP) number (SP1), the flatter the surface. An SP10 rating is an extremely rough surface. An accepted definition of surface profile is “the average distance from the peaks to the valleys of the surface, as seen through a cross-section of the prepared substrate.”
The range of variation with your specific concrete slab, substrate or asphalt depends on its strength, composition, aggregate and finish. The final surface must allow for the secure mechanical bond of any sealer, coating or marking material, so make sure the surface is free of any dirt, oil, films, paint, coatings, cure, sealer and any other material before creating your desired surface profile.
