Indian Institute Of Technology Madras

Damage of Asphalt
Road around campus:
Causes and Preventions
 Project Members and their roles:

S T R Phanindra Gajjala Sanjeev Nathan Nirwair Kr Chaudhary

Vanlalmuanpuia
(CE22B002) (CE22B054) (CE22B080)
Resource
(CE22B028) Graphics
Content Creation Acquirement &
Causal Analysis &
Assessment Designing
Management

01 02 03 04

Siddharth Shimjith ult y A d visor:

Nair (CE22B106)
Fac

Presentation tul
Prof. A
nan
Naraya

05
“Instability/
Weaknesses in any one
layer during
construction results in
the failure of the
asphalt pavement”
“Instability/
Weaknesses in any one
layer during
construction results in
the failure of the
asphalt pavement”

These weaknesses can

be caused due to:
• Human/Technical
errors during
construction
• Action of natural
elements
• Stress or loads due to
vehicular or foot
traffic.
There are different types of damages of asphalt roads :-

Edge cracking

Rutting

01 Potholes
02
Bleeding
03
04
Fatigue cracking
05
06
Longitudinal cracking
07
08 Transverse cracking
09
Raveling

Depressions
(1) Edge cracking :-

It is mainly due to the stress by traffic on the pavement, it frequently occurs on narrow pavements
due to variation of stress along the width of the pavement. By these stress the pavement at the
edges shrink and leads to cracking of the roads. It’s the type of cracking associated with load and
structural distresses.

Source: www.researchgate.com
(1) Edge cracking :-

It is mainly due to the stress by traffic on the pavement, it frequently occurs on narrow pavements
due to variation of stress along the width of the pavement. By these stress the pavement at the
edges shrink and leads to cracking of the roads. It’s the type of cracking associated with load and
structural distresses.

Prevention:-

1. Removing any existing vegetation close

to the edge of the pavement and try to fix
any draining problems.
2. Crack seal/fill the cracks to prevent
further deterioration or remove and
reconstruct to full depth fixing any
support issues.

Source: www.researchgate.com
(2) Rutting :-

Ruts in asphalt pavements are channelized depressions in the wheel tracks.

When there is depression in wheel paths there may be uplift of surface along
the sides of rut. These ruts are identified generally at the time of rains.

Source: www.maxwellproducts.com
(2) Rutting :-

Ruts in asphalt pavements are channelized depressions in the wheel tracks.

When there is depression in wheel paths there may be uplift of surface along
the sides of rut. These ruts are identified generally at the time of rains.

Prevention:-

1. If rutting is minor or if it has

stabilized, the depressions can be
filled and overlaid.

2. If the deformations are severe, the

rutted area should be removed and
replaced with suitable materials.

Source: www.maxwellproducts.com
(3) Potholes :-
Potholes can be formed through the regular water seeping inside the asphalt
surface.When water expands all the way from the sub-base then it will form a
large hole which will spread over time.And this causes weak pavements and
surfaces at the subgrade and results in poor drainage systems.

Source:
www.forbes.com/sites/laurenfix/2018/04/16/pothole-
dangers-drivers-beware/?sh=66d7c2643f1a
(3) Potholes :-
Potholes can be formed through the regular water seeping inside the asphalt
surface.When water expands all the way from the sub-base then it will form a
large hole which will spread over time.And this causes weak pavements and
surfaces at the subgrade and results in poor drainage systems.

Prevention:-

1. To construct the surface properly

in the first place.
2. Quickly filling up any minor or
major cracks formed as soon as
possible.
3. Avoid keeping lying water on top
of it as it makes it worse.

Source:
www.forbes.com/sites/laurenfix/2018/04/16/pothole-
dangers-drivers-beware/?sh=66d7c2643f1a
(4) Fatigue Cracking :-

It refers to the road damage in a way that the cracks form a pattern that looks like the
skin of a crocodile, thus referred to as crocodile cracks.This crack causes the roads to
be thin and have weak surface and base and also often result in poor drainage
systems.

Source:https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement-distresses/fatigue-cracking/
(4) Fatigue Cracking :-

It refers to the road damage in a way that the cracks form a pattern that looks like the
skin of a crocodile, thus referred to as crocodile cracks.This crack causes the roads to
be thin and have weak surface and base and also often result in poor drainage
systems.
Prevention:-

1. Apply a seal coat or overlay to

protect the surface of the road from
water penetration, oxidation, and UV
exposure.
2. Compact the asphalt layers
properly to eliminate voids and
ensure adequate density.
3. Ensure proper road geometry and
use appropriate thickness of asphalt
layers.

Source:https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement-distresses/fatigue-cracking/
(5) Depressions :-

These are small distressed area.Their height will be slightly lower than the
surrounding areas. Depressions cause consolidation of the sub-grade of the
roads. It is caused by poor construction,inadequate compaction, excessive load
of vehicles, weather change can also cause this which can lead to
potholes,cracks and other types of damages.

Source:https://www.in.gov/indot/div/aviation/pavement-inspection/pci-review/distresses-
ac/depression.html
(5) Depressions :-

These are small distressed area.Their height will be slightly lower than the
surrounding areas. Depressions cause consolidation of the sub-grade of the
roads. It is caused by poor construction,inadequate compaction, excessive load
of vehicles, weather change can also cause this which can lead to
potholes,cracks and other types of damages.

Source:https://www.in.gov/indot/div/aviation/pavement-inspection/pci-review/distresses-
ac/depression.html
(5) Depressions :-

These are small distressed area.Their height will be slightly lower than the
surrounding areas. Depressions cause consolidation of the sub-grade of the
roads. It is caused by poor construction,inadequate compaction, excessive load
of vehicles, weather change can also cause this which can lead to
potholes,cracks and other types of damages.
Prevention:-

1.Ensuring that the road base is

compact and stable, using materials
with appropriate strength and
drainage properties.
2.Ensuring that the asphalt is placed
at the correct temperature and
compacted properly to achieve the
correct density and avoid voids and
weak spots.

Source:https://www.in.gov/indot/div/aviation/pavement-inspection/pci-review/distresses-
ac/depression.html
(6) Slippage Cracks :-
These cracks occurs when the road surface loses its cohesive grip resulting in
the formation of horizontal cracks, they will be in the shape of a half moon
having two ends pointed away from the direction of traffic and are produced
by hard breaking and turning wheels of vehicles. It is usually caused by poor
adhesion between the surface layer and the underlying layer, causing the top
layer to slide or slip away from the bottom layer.

Source: https://maxwellproducts.com/problems/Slippage-Cracking
(6) Slippage Cracks :-
These cracks occurs when the road surface loses its cohesive grip resulting in
the formation of horizontal cracks, they will be in the shape of a half moon
having two ends pointed away from the direction of traffic and are produced
by hard breaking and turning wheels of vehicles. It is usually caused by poor
adhesion between the surface layer and the underlying layer, causing the top
layer to slide or slip away from the bottom layer.
Prevention:-
1. Ensuring if proper construction
techniques are followed.
2. Proper compaction and ensuring
the right asphalt mix usage.
3. Proper maintenance, such as crack
filling and repaving can also reduce
the occurrence.

Source: https://maxwellproducts.com/problems/Slippage-Cracking
(7) Bleeding :-

Bleeding of asphalt roads refers to the phenomenon where the asphalt binder in the
road surface rises to the top and forms a glossy, sticky layer. This occurs when the
asphalt mixture is too viscous and contains too much asphalt binder,resulting in a
higher surface temperature and reduced compaction. This can lead to skid resistance
problems and reduced durability of the road.

Source:https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement distresses/bleeding/
(7) Bleeding :-

Bleeding of asphalt roads refers to the phenomenon where the asphalt binder in the
road surface rises to the top and forms a glossy, sticky layer. This occurs when the
asphalt mixture is too viscous and contains too much asphalt binder,resulting in a
higher surface temperature and reduced compaction. This can lead to skid resistance
problems and reduced durability of the road.
Prevention:-

1. Anti-stripping agents can be

added to the asphalt binder to
improve its resistance to bleeding.
2. Allow the asphalt to cure for a
sufficient amount of time before
opening it to traffic to ensure that
the binder has hardened and
stabilized.

Source:https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement distresses/bleeding/
(8) Raveling :-

It is the progressive disintegration of hot mixed asphalt layer from the surface
downward as a result of the aggregate particles. As the erosion continues,
larger particles are broken and pavement soon has rough appearance. This
causes dirty aggregate and over-heating of the mix of asphalt.

Source:https://www.roadbotics.com/2019/10/07/distress-call-raveling/
(8) Raveling :-

It is the progressive disintegration of hot mixed asphalt layer from the surface
downward as a result of the aggregate particles. As the erosion continues,
larger particles are broken and pavement soon has rough appearance. This
causes dirty aggregate and over-heating of the mix of asphalt.

Prevention:-

1.Regular sweeping to remove loose

particles and debris that can
contribute to raveling.
2.Application of a sealcoat to protect
the surface of the asphalt and
prevent the ingress of moisture.

Source:https://www.roadbotics.com/2019/10/07/distress-call-raveling/
 Case Study:-

Damage type: Edge cracking

Location: Way to MDS (from NAC)
 Case Study:-

Damage type: Depression Damage type: Pothole Damage type: Raveling

Location: Near CSB Location: Near Tunga Hostel Location: Near Central Workshop

Damage type: Edge cracking Damage type: Ravelling Damage type: Ravelling
Location: Way to MDS (from NAC) Location: Near CRC Location: Near Bhadra Hostel
THANK YOU