Road Problems

Ground and Pavement

Upheaval
• Upheaval is a localized upward movement in a pavement due to
swelling of the subgrade. This can be due to expansive soils that
swell due to moisture or frost heave (ice under the pavement).
•
• FIX: Full depth patch
Alligator Cracking
• Alligator cracking is a load associated structural failure. The failure can
be due to weakness in the surface, base or sub grade; a surface or
base that is too thin; poor drainage or the combination of all three.
It often starts in the wheel path as longitudinal cracking and ends up
as alligator cracking after severe distress.
•
• FIX: Because a structural failure is taking place the only possible
solution to alligatoring is to perform a full-depth patch.
FIX: Because a structural failure is taking place the only possible solution to alligatoring is to perform a
full-depth patch.
Block cracking
• Block cracks look like large interconnected rectangles (roughly). Block
cracking is not load-associated, but generally caused by shrinkage of the
asphalt pavement due to an inability of asphalt binder to expand and
contract with temperature cycles. This can be because the mix was mixed
and placed too dry; Fine aggregate mix with low penetration asphalt &
absorptive aggregates; poor choice of asphalt binder in the mix design; or
aging dried out asphalt.
•
• FIX: Less severe cracks measuring 1/2 inch or less can be sealed to prevent
moisture from entering into the sub grade. More severe cracks should be
fixed by removing the cracked pavement layer and replacing it with an
overlay.
• Longitudinal cracking are cracks that are parallel to the pavements
centerline or laydown direction. These can be a result of both
pavement fatigue, reflective cracking, and/or poor joint
construction. Joints are generally the least dense areas of a
pavement.
• FIX: Less severe cracks measuring 1/2 inch or less can be sealed to
prevent moisture from entering into the sub grade. More severe
cracks should be fixed by removing the cracked pavement layer and
replacing it with an overlay.
Slippage Cracks
• Slippage cracks are crescent-shaped cracks or tears in the surface
layer(s) of asphalt where the new material has slipped over the
underlying course. This problem is caused by a lack of bonding
between layers. This is often because a tack coat was not used to
develop a bond between the asphalt layers or because a prime coat
was not used to bond the asphalt to the underlying stone base
course. The lack of bond can be also caused by dirt, oil, or other
contaminants preventing adhesion between the layers.
•
• FIX: All of the areas exhibiting the “stretch marks” will need to be
removed and will require a partial or full depth patch.
Pot Holes
• Small, bowl-shaped depressions in the pavement surface that
penetrate all the way through the asphalt layer down to the base
course. They generally have sharp edges and vertical sides near the
top of the hole. Potholes are the result of moisture infiltration and
usually the end result of untreated alligator cracking. As alligator
cracking becomes severe, the interconnected cracks create small
chunks of pavement, which can be dislodged as vehicles drive over
them. The remaining hole after the pavement chunk is dislodged is
called a pothole.
•
• FIX: Full depth replacement patch
Rutting
• Ruts in asphalt pavements are channelized depressions in the wheel-
tracks. Rutting results from consolidation or lateral movement of
any of the pavement layers or the subgrade under traffic. It is
caused by insufficient pavement thickness; lack of compaction of
the asphalt, stone base or soil; weak asphalt mixes; or moisture
infiltration or inappropriate grade of asphalt.
•
• FIX: If rutting is minor or if it has stabilized, the depressions can be
filled and overlaid. If the deformations are severe, the rutted area
should be removed and replaced with suitable material.
Shoving
• Shoving is the formation of ripples across a pavement. This
characteristic shape is why this type of distress is sometimes called
wash-boarding. Shoving occurs at locations having severe horizontal
stresses, such as intersections. It is typically caused by: excess
asphalt; too much fine aggregate; rounded aggregate; too soft an
asphalt; or a weak granular base.
•
• FIX: Partial or full depth patch
Raveling
• Raveling is the on-going separation of aggregate particles in a pavement from the
surface downward or from the edges inward. Usually, the fine aggregate wears
away first and then leaves little “pock marks” on the pavement surface. As the
erosion continues, larger and larger particles are broken free and the pavement
soon has the rough and jagged appearance typical of surface erosion.
•
• There are many reasons why raveling can occur, but one common cause is placing
asphalt too late in the season. This is because the mixture usually lacks warm
weather traffic which reduces pavement surface voids, further densification,
and kneading of the asphalt mat. For this reason raveling is more common in
the more northern regions(snow belt).
•
• FIX: Apply a thin hot-mix overlay. Other solutions could include: sand seal, chip
seal, slurry seal or micro-surfacing.