The roughness of a solid surface expressed as the average height of undulations and imperfections. It is measured using an instrument that draws a stylus over the surface. The roughness of the inner surface of a pipe wall used to transport fluids with turbulent flow has the effect of increasing frictional pressure drop. Expressed (p. 2) as a ratio with internal pipe diameter, it is used in determining the friction factor of fluids flowing in pipes with turbulent flow. See relative roughness.