Polished Aggregate
Reviewed by licensed engineers
Checked against its sources by licensed professional engineers on the previous site, where reviewers weren’t recorded by name.
On this page · 4 sections
Description
Areas of pavement (either PCC or HMA) where the portion of aggregate extending above the asphalt binder (in the case of HMA) or cement paste (in the case of PCC) is either very small or there are no rough or angular aggregate particles.
Problem
Decreased skid resistance
Possible Causes
Repeated traffic applications. Generally, as a pavement ages the protruding rough, angular particles become polished. This can occur quicker if the aggregate is susceptible to abrasion or subject to excessive studded tire wear.
Repair
- HMA: Apply a skid-resistant slurry seal or BST or overlay.
- PCC: Diamond grinding or overlay.
- Klaruw: Bush-Hammering or Shot-Blasting.
Teaching this? Figures and worked examples are free to use with credit. Course reading lists
Cite this page
APA
Pavement Interactive. (2026, November 1). Polished aggregate. HeadLight. Retrieved [the date you read it], from https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement-distresses/polished-aggregate/
ASCE
Pavement Interactive. (2026). “Polished Aggregate.” HeadLight, <https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement-distresses/polished-aggregate/> ([the date you read it]).
BibTeX
@misc{pavint-polished-aggregate,
author = {{Pavement Interactive}},
title = {Polished Aggregate},
year = {2026},
publisher = {HeadLight},
howpublished = {\url{https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement-distresses/polished-aggregate/}},
note = {Accessed [date]}
}