This test method provides a means of determining an abrasion rate (weight and calculated average thickness loss) when comparing materials, coatings, pavings, or linings under test conditions that will be subjected to abrasive bed loads. The importance of this information is recognized when dealing with culverts, storm and sanitary sewer applications, although the last two generally do not have the same degree of abrasion due to the flatter slopes and less bed loads than culverts. Specifically, the invert of these types of pipe, regardless of the material used, can be exposed to flows containing abrasive bed loads or solid particulates that cause wearing of the pipe wall.

By subjecting materials to wear in the bed load abrasion machine with a controlled bed load charge made up of fine aggregate and coarse aggregate over a specified period, a comparison of the resistance between materials can be established.

This test method does not simulate the effect of abrasive material striking the upstream face of corrugations, as would be typical for coating materials which do not completely fill the corrugations.

Note 1-Caution: This test method uses specific quantitative values to encourage repetitive results and does not consider varying bed load characteristics, ratio of water to bed load, velocity, time or actual field conditions, and the effect of exposed edges on laminates. The user must use extreme care in comparing one test result to another because of these and other variables.