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Measurements with a prototype model of the compressional wave profilometer have demonstrated the usefulness and accuracy of in situ sound speed data obtained during coring of ocean bottom sediments. Experience gained during measurements with the prototype confirmed the initial assumption that the final version of the instrument should be self-contained with the electronic circuits and a magnetic recorder packaged in a watertight housing which is attached to the corer. This new profilometer configuration has been designed and built. Testing of the profilometer has been accomplished in water depths up to 4.5 km. The new recording and playback circuits are described in detail. Test results are given including the first available high resolution in situ sound speed and attenuation profiles to 12 m depth in deep water sediments.

Measurements with a preliminary model of the compressional wave sound speed profilometer have demonstrated the usefulness of in situ sound speed data obtained during coring of ocean sediments. Experience gained during the measurements confirmed the initial assumption that the final version of the instruments should be self-contained with the electronic circuits and a magnetic recorder packaged in a watertight housing which is attached to the corer. A complete description is given of the mechanical configuration of the new model profilometer as well as a description of the electronic circuits and recording system. (Author)

Photograph of a machine called a Chlore Profilometer used by the Arizona Highway Department.

Photograph of a Chloe Profilometer, a machine used for road construction by the Arizona Highway Department.

Photograph of a Chloe Profilometer, a machine used for road construction by the Arizona Highway Department.

Photograph of a Chloe Profilometer, a machine used for road construction by the Arizona Highway Department.

Photograph of a Chloe Profilometer, a machine used for road construction by the Arizona Highway Department.

Photograph of a Chloe Profilometer, a machine used for road construction by the Arizona Highway Department.

Photograph of a Chloe Profilometer, a machine used for road construction by the Arizona Highway Department.

Photograph of a Chloe Profilometer, a machine used for road construction by the Arizona Highway Department.

This report evaluates the use of the surface dynamics profilometer for measuring runway profiles. This evaluation showed that the surface dynamics profilometer meets all requirements for a system of this type and that for the first time runway profiles can be rapidly and accurately measured without removing the runway from operation for long periods of time. Modern aircraft, due to their large size, structural flexibility and higher take-off and landing speeds, can be excited into a resonant condition by runway roughness. Forces generated by the interaction of the aircraft and the runway can cause damaging stresses both in the aircraft structure and the runway pavement itself. Wavelength components in the runway profile that cause aircraft resonance often are difficult to locate. One method is to use the measured profile of the runway as an input to a computer simulation of the affected aircraft. (Author)

The problem of being able to obtain raster profilometer traces and SEM image recording from identical fracture areas has been solved. Both types of image are now being processed by the same CESEMI computer programs for purposes of mapping of data and for quantitative enumeration of surface characteristics. The raster profilometer data tend to measure the actual long-range surface elevational detail, while the SEM images tend to bring out details of short-range surface roughness. It appears to be feasible, in the long run, to obtain SEM data comparable to raster profilometer, but this will definitely involve the use of multiple detector arrangements at the least. The derivative-signal processed images are particularly useful in viewing fracture surface detail, and it is anticipated that considerable use will be made of this kind of image detail in the future. (Author)

A study was made to determine the feasibility of using an airborne laser profilometer system to rapidly appraise selected unprepared landing sites. Evaluation of terrain roughness was made in terms of microrelief, slope, and obstructions. Laser profilometer data were collected at 12 test areas that provided variations in surface geometry, vegetation cover, and other natural and man-made features. (Modified author abstract)

The purpose of this study was to determine the capability of the AASHO (American Association of State Highway Officials) profilometer to measure airfield pavement profiles. To accomplish this, a number of test tracks were established on pavements at Chanute AFB, Rantoul, Illinois, and profiles obtained with the AASHO instrument were compared with those obtained using standard precise level procedures. The instrument contains an inertial system for continuous horizontal reference and two reference slope or 'feeler' wheels, mounted in tandem between each of two pairs of motorcycle wheels, which measure abrupt changes in profile. The inertial horizontal reference system adopted for the AASHO profilometer is based upon the principle of a floating, spinning disk. The disk is mounted on a center pivot through which air is permitted to escape at high velocity which in turn acts as a lubricant between disk and pivot. (Author)

Photograph of a Chloe Profilometer, a machine used for road construction by the Arizona Highway Department.

Photograph of a piece of Arizona Highway Department equipment called a Chloe Profilometer.

Photograph of a piece of Arizona Highway Department equipment called a Chloe Profilometer.

Photograph of a piece of Arizona Highway Department equipment called a Chloe Profilometer.

Photograph of an Arizona Highway Department machine identified as a Chloe Profilometer

Photograph of an Arizona Highway Department machine identified as a Chloe Profilometer

Photograph of an Arizona Highway Department machine identified as a Chloe Profilometer

Photograph of an Arizona Highway Department machine identified as a Chloe Profilometer

Photograph of an Arizona Highway Department machine identified as a Chloe Profilometer

Photograph of an Arizona Highway Department machine identified as a Chloe Profilometer

Photograph of an Arizona Highway Department machine identified as a Chloe Profilometer

Photograph of an Arizona Highway Department machine identified as a Chloe Profilometer

Photograph of an Arizona Highway Department machine identified as a Chloe Profilometer

Photograph of an Arizona Highway Department machine identified as a Chloe Profilometer

Photograph of an Arizona Highway Department machine identified as a Chloe Profilometer

Photograph of an Arizona Highway Department machine identified as a Chloe Profilometer

Photograph of an Arizona Highway Department machine identified as a Chloe Profilometer

The study was initiated to quantitatively measure the surface roughness of nine playas, based on their anticipated variance in surface roughness. The second objective of this study was to determine if a relationship existed between roughness and the engineering properties of the soil. The profile data were obtained with a laser profilograph system recently developed by the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory. Limited soil data were obtained at each site. The soils were typical playa soils classified generally as silty clay and the surface was dry and cracked and had formed a polygonated surface. The surface roughness of the playas was studied by comparing the power spectral density plots of the profile data. (Author)