Pavement Defects and
Failures
- Me again
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.
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 (Linear) Cracking
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.
Transverse Cracking
Transverse cracks are single cracks
perpendicular to the pavement's
centerline or laydown direction.
Transverse cracks can be caused
by reflective cracks from an
underlying layer, daily temperature
cycles, and poor construction due
to improper operation of the paver.
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.
Edge Cracks
Edge Cracks travel along the inside edge of a
pavement surface within one or two feet. The
most common cause for this type of crack is
poor drainage conditions and lack of support
at the pavement edge. As a result underlying
base materials settle and become weakened.
Heavy vegetation along the pavement edge and
heavy traffic can also be the instigator of edge
cracking.
FIX: The first stepin correcting the problem is
to remove any existing vegetation close to the
edge of the pavement and fix any drainage
problems. Crack seal/fill the cracks to prevent
further deterioration or remove and
reconstruct to full depth fixing any support
issues.
Joint Reflection Cracks
These are cracks in a flexible pavement
overlay of a rigid pavement (i.e., asphalt
over concrete). They occur directly over
the underlying rigid pavement joints.
Joint reflection cracking does not
include reflection cracks that occur
away from an underlying joint or from
any other type of base (e.g., cement or
lime stabilized).
FIX: For less severe cracks (less than
1/2 inch) crack sealing will prevent the
further entry of moisture into the
subgrade. If the cracks are more severe
the removal of the cracked pavement
layer followed by an overlay may be
required.
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
Depressions (bird baths)
Depressions are localized
pavement surface areas with
slightly lower elevations than the
surrounding pavement.
Depressions are very noticeable
after a rain when they fill with
water.
FIX: Depending on the severity of
the depression the asphalt may
have to be removed and replaced
(severe). Less severe depressions
can be fixed by applying a thin
surface patch or infrared 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.
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
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
Raveling (very porous asphalt)
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.
-Thank you
