ROAD DISTRESSES

POTHOLES
Description:
Potholes result from the loss of surface and base material in cracked, raveled or undamaged areas. The
presence of water accelerates the formation of potholes both through a general weakening of the
pavement structure and through lowering of the resistance of the surface and base materials to
disintegration.
How to Repair:
- Excavation and removal of existing pavement and/or paved shoulder up to loosen level or over a
length, width and depth as instructed by the Engineer.
- Preparation of excavated pavement and/or paved shoulder by grading and compacting.
- Filling of excavated pavement and/or paved shoulder with base materials by levelling and
compacting.
- Filling and levelling of top surface with bituminous materials over an area as instructed by the
Engineer.

BROKEN EDGE
Description:
Broken Edge can be defined as the loss of surface and base material at the pavement edge, caused by
shear failure and attrition. Broken Edge can appear from undamaged, cracked or raveled areas. There are
two types of broken edge: a) One sided broken edge and b) Two sided broken edge.
How to Repair:
- Excavation and removal of existing pavement and/or paved shoulder up to loosen level or over a
length, width and depth as instructed by the Engineer.
- Preparation of excavated pavement and/or paved shoulder by grading and compacting.
- Filling of excavated pavement and/or paved shoulder with base materials by levelling and
compacting.
- Filling and levelling of top surface with bituminous materials over an area as instructed by the
Engineer.

DEPRESSION
Description:
Depression is the deformation of larger areas of pavement resulting from poor compaction in sub-grade,
sub-base or other pavement layers.
How to Repair:
- Excavation and removal of existing pavement and/or paved shoulder up to loosen level or over a
length, width and depth as instructed by the Engineer.
- Preparation of excavated pavement and/or paved shoulder by grading and compacting.
- Filling of excavated pavement and/or paved shoulder with base materials by levelling and
compacting.
- Filling and levelling of top surface with bituminous materials over an area as instructed by the
Engineer.
CRACKING
Description:
Fatigue due to passage of traffic and ageing of the pavement binder are the causes of cracking. The
propagation of cracking is accelerated through binder materials resulting from ageing and ingress of
water, which can significantly weaken the underlying pavement layers. There are two types of cracking:
a) Narrow cracks in surface; width < 3mm and b) Wide cracks in surface and base layer; width > 3mm.
How to Repair Narrow Cracks:
- Excavation and removal of existing pavement and/or paved shoulder over a length and width as
instructed by the Engineer.
- Preparation of excavated pavement and/or paved shoulder by grading and compacting.
- Filling and levelling of top surface with bituminous materials over an area as instructed by the
Engineer.
How to Repair Wide Cracks:
- Excavation and removal of existing pavement and/or paved shoulder over a length, width and
depth as instructed by the Engineer.
- Preparation of excavated pavement and/or paved shoulder by grading and compacting.
- Filling of excavated pavement and/or paved shoulder with base materials by levelling and
compacting.
- Filling and levelling of top surface with bituminous materials over an area as instructed by the
Engineer.

RUTTING
Description:
Rutting is defined as the permanent or unrecoverable traffic-associated deformation within pavement
layers which, if channelled into wheelpaths, accumulates over time and becomes manifested as a rut.
Rutting can exist with all other surface damage except depressions.
How to Repair:
- Excavation and removal of existing pavement and/or paved shoulder up to loosen level or over a
length, width and depth as instructed by the Engineer.
- Preparation of excavated pavement and/or paved shoulder by grading and compacting.
- Filling of excavated pavement and/or paved shoulder with base materials by levelling and
compacting.
- Filling and levelling of top surface with bituminous materials over an area as instructed by the
Engineer.

RAVELING
Description:
Raveling is the progressive loss of surface material through weathering and/or traffic abrasion. Raveling
can only appear in an undamaged road or in a patched area.
How to Repair:
- Excavation and removal of existing pavement and/or paved shoulder over a length and width as
instructed by the Engineer.
- Preparation of excavated pavement and/or paved shoulder by grading and compacting.
- Filling and levelling of top surface with bituminous materials over an area as instructed by the
Engineer.