DEVELOPMENT OF A SIMPLE RUNWAY WAVINESS MEASURING SYSTEM
Abstract
A review is given of the work concerned with surface waviness of runways and taxi-tracks. The collection of statistical data and the advantages and disadvantages of various forms of presentation of these data are discussed. Runway roughness criteria are dealt with very briefly. A discussion is given of the shortcomings of existing systems and methods for measuring the range of wavelengths from 4 to 200 feet. An optical system developed by the NLR (National Aero and Astronautical Research Institute, Amsterdam) which avoids these shortcomings is described. The results of a series of test runs with the NLR- system are compared with the results of conventional level-and-rod measurements. The agreement between the derived characteristics (power spectrum and deviations from straight lines) is very satisfactory. The agreement between the runway profile as obtained by integration of the measured slopes and the true profile is limited, since the system only gives a true reproduction of the components in the design range of wavelengths. It is concluded that the NLR-system shows favourable characteristics as a rapid and simple measuring system. A few current and possible future extensions of the work are dealt with briefly.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0440750
Entities
People
- F. J. Plantema
- J. Buhrman
Organizations
- AGARD