PAVEMENT CRACKING

OTHER THAN FATIGUE

GROUP MEMBERS

FARAZ ALI 2K17-PT-MSC-TRAN-21

M KALEEMULLAH KHAN 2K17-PT-MSC-TRAN-14
FARHAN BAIG 2K18-PT-MSC-TRAN-25
ADNAN KHAN 2K18-PT-MSC-TRAN-24
M MUBASHAR SIDDIQUE 2K18-PT-MSC-TRAN-23
WAQAS ZEB 2K17-PT-MSC-TRAN-20
 Presentation Outline

 Discussion About Cracks

 Introduction To Pavement Cracking Mechanism

 Types Of Cracks Other Than Fatigue

 Some Example of Common Cracking

 Closing Notes
 Questions
 INTRODUCTION

 The crack is one of the common diseases of asphalt pavement. The early
crack has little influence on the performance of the use of the road, however,
with the increasing of the cracks, quantitative accumulation leads to
qualitative transformation and has serious influence on pavement
performance, even lead to the damage of the integrity of the road.

 The cracks of the asphalt pavement is inevitable and can't be avoided, we are
only able to improve the design and construction techniques to reduce the
generation of cracks and delay initial cracking time.
 INTRODUCTION

Cracking is more complex than this!!

 Thermally-induced cracking
 Low temperature cracking
 Frost-heave cracking
 Reflective thermal cracking
 Top-down longitudinal cracking (in joints and segregated areas)
 Traffic loading-related cracking
 Fatigue cracking
 Top-down longitudinal cracking
 Reflective cracking
 Cracks other than fatigues
 Cont..

 Transverse thermal cracking

 Potholes
 Raveling
 Block cracking
 Patching
 Reflection cracking
 Depression
 Edge joint cracking
 Slippage Cracking

Combination of reasons and issues

 INTRODUCTION

 The prevention and the treatments are proposed in the respects of..

 Material related
 Poorly-designed mix
 Inadequate or poor binder
 Binder-aggregates adhesion issues
 Construction related
 Improper joint preparation
 Thermal or physical segregation
 Tack-coat problems
 Compaction issues
 Thin overlay over cracked pavement
 Drainage issues (major problem)
 INTRODUCTION

 Structure related
 Under-designed pavement
 Unexpected traffic
 Lack of frost protection
 Combination of different factors
SOME COMMON ISSUES
Tack-coat issues
Tack-coat issues
Segregation
Transverse joints prep a r a t i o n
T ransve rse j oint s p re p a r a t i o n
 Longitudinal joints

Pic taken by team of University of Waterloo as a new initiative for Pavement and
Transportation Research in Canada
Pat ch in g
Irregularities
Irregularities
Co m p act io n is s u es
Co m p act io n is s u es
Co m p act io n is s u es
 Low temperature cracking

 Low temperature cracking is the most prevalent distress found in asphalt

pavements built in cold weather climates. As the temperature drops the
restrained pavement tries to shrink. The tensile stresses build up to a critical
point at which a crack is formed.
 Low Temperature Cracking

Taken in 2004 at the University of Waterloo as a new initiative for Pavement and
Transportation Research in Canada
 TRANVERSE (THERMAL) CRACKING

 The cracks are initiated along the direction of the pavement or initiated
perpendicular to the direction of pavement. The cracking's are initiated due to
the change of temperatures.

 Usually this cracking is considered as a type of thermal cracking.

 The thermal cracking allows infiltration of moisture to the pavement.

 The thermal cracking also leads to the roughness of road for the vehicle.
 POSSIBLE CAUSE AND REPAIR

 Shrinkage of the Hot mix asphalt surface due to low temperatures or due to
hardening of asphalt binder.
 The strategy of repair depends upon the severity and extent of cracking.

Low severity cracks:- Less than ½ inch wide and infrequent cracks. The cracks
are sealed to prevent the entry of moisture. HMA can serve for years if the small
developed cracks are sealed to the satisfactory .
High severity cracks:- More than ½ inch wide cracks. The cracks cannot be
sealed but the HMA needs to be removed and the cracked pavement will be
replaced by an overlay.
 CONT..
Transverse Thermal Longitudinal Thermal
Cracking Cracking
 JOINT REFLECTION CRACKS

 The cracks are produced on the flexible overlay of a rigid pavement.

 The cracks occur directly over the under laying joints of the rigid pavement.

 The joint reflection cracks includes only the cracks that occurs from the under
laying layer joint.

 The problem is that allows the infiltration of moisture and roughness of the
road.
 POSSIBLE CAUSE AND REPAIR

 The problem arises because of the movement of the PCC slab beneath the
HMA layer due to the thermal and moisture changes.
 The strategy depends upon the severity and extent of cracking.

Low severity cracks:- Less than ½ inch wide and infrequent cracks. The cracks
are sealed to prevent the entry of moisture. HMA can serve for years if the small
developed cracks are sealed to the satisfactory .
High severity cracks:- More than ½ inch wide cracks. The cracks cannot be
sealed but the HMA needs to be removed and the cracked pavement will be
replaced by an overlay.
JOINT REFLECTION CRACKINGS
 AVOIDING JOINT REFLECTION CRACKS

Following techniques are used to avoid joint reflection cracks

before the laying of HMA, between the PCC slab and HMA layer.
 Geotextiles.
 Geogrid.
 Fiberglass.
 Geo composite.
 Geonet.
 Geomembrane.
GEOSYNTHETICS FOR PAVEMENTS
 Block Cracking

Description: This is also called as thermal cracking. The cracking is happening

in the form of blocks. These cracks are interconnected making the pavement to
divide into rectangular pieces (almost rectangular).
Range: Approximately 0.1 m2 (1 ft2) to 9 m2 (100 ft2).
 Cont..

Block cracking normally occurs over a large portion of pavement area but
sometimes will occur only in non-traffic areas.

Problem: Allows moisture infiltration, roughness

Possible Causes:
HMA shrinkage and daily temperature cycling. Typically caused by an inability
of asphalt binder to expand and contract with temperature cycles because of:
 Asphalt binder aging
 Poor choice of asphalt binder in the mix design
 BLOCK CRACKING (CONT..)

Repair: Strategies depend upon the severity and extent of the block cracking:

 Low severity cracks (< 1/2 inch wide): Seal to prevent:

(a) entry of moisture into the subgrade through the cracks
(b) further raveling of the crack edges. HMA can provide years of satisfactory
service after developing small cracks if they are kept sealed (Roberts et. al.,
1996).

 High severity cracks (> 1/2 inch wide and cracks with raveled edges):
Remove and replace the cracked pavement layer with an overlay.
 DEPRESSION

 Description: Localized pavement surface areas with slightly lower elevations

than the surrounding pavement. Depressions are very noticeable after a rain
when they fill with water.
 Cont..

Possible Causes: Frost heave or subgrade settlement resulting from inadequate

compaction during construction.

Repair: By definition, depressions are small localized areas. A

pavement depression should be investigated to determine the root cause of failure
(i.e., subgrade settlement or frost heave). Depressions should be repaired by
removing the affected pavement then digging out and replacing the area of poor
subgrade. Patch over the repaired subgrade.
Patching
 Patching

 Description: An area of pavement that has been replaced with new material to
repair the existing pavement. A patch is considered a defect no matter how
well it performs.
 Possible Causes : Previous localized pavement deterioration that has been
removed and patched
 Repair:
Throw-and-roll: This is a temporary patching technique in which liquid asphalt
is filled into a hole and then rolled over.
 Cont..

 Semi-permanent patches: A longer-lasting solution, this method requires

proper surface preparation. Water and debris are first removed with the help of
a broom or air compressor after which the area to be patched is cut back with a
hand tool or power equipment. The prepared hole is then filled with the
patching mix and compacted with a roller.
 Full-depth patching: Considered a permanent repair method, this technique
involves excavating the patching area to the depth of 4 inches or more and
extending at least one foot into the surrounding area in order to provider firmer
support. A tack coat is applied prior to the asphalt mix followed by a backfill
for proper bonding.
 Cont..

 Spray injection method: In this method, special truck-mounted equipment is

used to first blow out water and debris from the crack or pothole, after which
aggregate and emulsion will be injected into it. Since the injection is done at
high-pressure, no compaction is required.
 Potholes

 A pothole is a structural failure in a road surface.

Description: Small, bowl-shaped depressions in the pavement surface that
penetrate all the way through the HMA layer down to the base course.
 Possible Causes:
due to water in the underlying soil structure and traffic passing over the affected
area. As cars and trucks pass over the weak spot in the road, pieces of the
roadway material weaken, which will cause the material to be displaced or
broken down from the weight, creating the pothole.
 Repair:
In accordance with patching techniques.
 Raveling

 Description:
Raveling is known as the deterioration of pavement by the loss of asphalt and
rocks.
Possible Causes:
causes include the following: inadequate compaction during construction;
aggregate segregation; poor mix design; installation during wet weather; dust
coating; and dislodging from heavy traffic.
Repair: A raveled pavement should be investigated to determine the root cause
of failure. Repair strategies generally fall into one of two categories:
Small, localized areas of raveling:
Remove the raveled pavement and patch.
Large raveled areas indicative of general HMA failure:
Remove the damaged pavement and overlay.
 Frost Action

 Frost action is a phenomena that occurs in the winter and early springtime.
 Frost action beneath the roadway surface is a major concern at locations
experiencing freeze-thaw cycles.
 Frost action refers to the adverse effects due to frost heave , frost melting or
thaw and alternate cycles of freezing and thawing.
 Frost action divides into two phases:

 Freezing phase (Heaving)

 Thawing phase (Softening, Weakening)
 Freezing Phase

 It occurs during winter season when air temperatures are below freezing for
sustained periods of time.
 Freezing mostly on road surface.
 FROST HEAVE: Heave means the lifting of the surface of soil due to
expansion of subgrade by absorption of water in clayey soils and formation of
ice between soil grains to a considerable depth.
 Frost heaving cause by
 Crystallization of ice
 Thawing Phase

 It occurs towards the end of the winter season.

 Thaw weakening. A weakened subgrade condition resulting from soil
saturation as ice within the soil melts.
 Subsequent increase in temperature would result in melting or thawing of the
frozen ice crystals and softens the road bed and lead to cracking.
 Problem : Allows infiltration, roughness.
 Possible Causes :
 Expansion of sub grade soil.
 Melting of ice.
 Frost Heave Cracking

Source: http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/en/reseau/chaussees/chaussees.asp
 Fro st H eave

 Frost heave of the pavement requires three

conditions:

 The subgrade is frost susceptible

 Freezing conditions (very cold weather)
 A water table close to the subgrade (moisture source)
 F r o st H eave

Source: http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/en/reseau/chaussees/chaussees.asp
F r o st H eave

Ice lense
F r o s t H eave
Damage Due to Frost Action
 Repair

 Drainage.
 Replacement.
 Crack sealing.
 Limiting pavement loading during spring thawing.
 When cracking become overlay is another maintenance.
 Edge Joint Cracks

 Description
Longitudinally along the pavement 30cm (1 ft) or so from the edge of
the pavement
 Problem :
 Cracking , Infiltration
 Caused By:
 Thermal stress
 Poor drainage
 Erosion of shoulder
 Soil stabilization
 Poor adhesion
 Repair:
 Treated with crack sealants.
 SHRINKAGE CRACKING

 Shrinkage cracks :

These are crack appearing in the transverse direction are interconnected

cracks that form groups of large blocks with cracks that usually intersect each
other at right angles .
Causes:
• The asphalt mix losing its flexibility due to age and oxidation normally causes
this type of cracking.
• Poor inferior compaction of various layer non uniform settlement of
embankment
 SHRINKAGE CRACKING

Treatment:

 For less severe cracks (less than ½ 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.
 Cut back bitumen and emulsions are used.
 Slurry seal or sand bituminous pre mix patching is used to fill the crack.
Shrinkage Cracking
 Slippage Cracking

 Description:
Slippage is the relative movement between the surface layer beneath
Crescent or half-moon shaped cracks generally having two ends pointed into
the direction of traffic.
 Slippage Cracking

Possible Causes:
 Unusual thrust of wheels in a particular direction.
 Inadequacy of tack coat.
 Lack of bound between surface and lower courses.
 Failure of bound between two layer.
 Excessive deflection of the pavement.
Repair:
Removing the effected area and patching the area with premix material.
 Closing notes
 Pavement cracking mechanisms are diverse
• External factors
 Environmental conditions
 Traffic loading

• Internal factors
 Materials
 Mix design & binder properties
 Construction
 Compaction, segregation, joints, etc.
 Pavement Structure
 Under-designed pavement, unexpected traffic, lack
of frost protection
 Combination of different factors
 Closing notes

 Pavement cracking could be avoided or reduced

 The identification of the reason of cracking is crucial to solve the problem
and to avoid it in the future
 The cracking pattern could be a good indicator to identify the
source of the problem
 Most of cracking could be avoided through:
 The right selection and design of construction materials
 Good pavement design
 Good construction practices
 Role of Pavement Management and Preservation Systems is important to
increase the life of the pavement
 REFERENCES

 http://www.pavemanpro.com/article/identifying_as
phalt_pavement_defects/
 http://www.jennite.com/problems_causes/
 http://www.asphaltinstitute.org/engineering/maint
enance-and-rehabilitation/pavement-distress-
summary
 https://www.pavementinteractive.org/reference-
desk/pavement-management/pavement-distresses/
 https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/in
frastructure/pavements/ltpp/reports/03031/01.cfm
THANKYOU..!!