GUIDE TO THE VISUAL ASSESSMENT OF
FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT SURFACE CONDITION
By:
Norhidayu Hartaty Abdullah
Unit Forensik Keselamatan Jalan
Bahagian Keselamatan Jalan
Cawangan Kejuruteraan Jalan & Geoteknik
Unit Forensik Keselamatan Jalan
Visual Assessment of Flexible Pavement
Surface Condition
Assessment of Pavement Surface condition is required:
As a measure of the ability of the pavement to continue to provide the
required service to the public
determining the deficiencies and inadequacies of the pavement
The remedial measures to be taken as well the maintenance planning
for the pavement
Distresses in Flexible Pavement can be categorized into one of
the following types:
[Link]
[Link] Deformations
[Link] Defects
[Link]
[Link]
[Link] Defects
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FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT
SURFACE CONDITION
CRACKS
SURFACE
DEFORMATIONS
SURFACE
Crocodile
Rutting
Bleeding
Edge Break
Block
Depression
Polishing
Edge
drop-off
Longitudinal
Corrugation
Ravelling
Transverse
Shoving
Delamination
DEFECTS
PATCH
& POTHOLES
EDGE
DEFECTS
Edge
Crescent
Shaped
Unit Forensik Keselamatan Jalan
1. PAVEMENT CRACKS
The possible causes of Cracks include:
[Link] construction joints
[Link]
[Link] of cracks in underlying layers
[Link]
[Link] life of the surface being exceeded
[Link] embrittlement of the surfacing
Effects of the Cracks:
[Link] of water-proofing of the pavement layers
[Link] of load spreading ability
[Link] and loss of fines from the base course
[Link] of riding quality
[Link] of appearance
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PAVEMENT CRACKS
Types of Pavement Cracks:
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CROCODILE CRACKS
Crocodile cracks is the consequences of the :
Inability of the structure to support the repeated loads due to a softening
of the material, which will increase the moisture content
No
Possible Causes
Probable Treatment
Inadequate pavement
thickness
Strengthen the pavement or
reconstruction
Low modulus base
Strengthen the base/reconstruction
Brittle base
Base recycling/reconstruction
Poor base drainage
Improve the drainage and reconstruct
Brittle wearing course
Replace or treat wearing course
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Severity Level of Crocodile Crack
Low Severity
Hairline cracks running parallel
to each other
cracks not spalled
Moderate Severity
pattern of articulated pieces formed
by cracks may be lightly spalled
cracks maybe sealed
Severity Level of Crocodile Crack
High Severity
pieces more severely spalled at edges
and loosened
pieces rocks under traffic; pumping
may exist
Measrument to be taken in assest the crack:
area affected
predominant crack width
predominant cell width
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BLOCK CRACKS
also known as Ladder Cracks
Blocks cracks are :
interconnected cracks forming a series of blocks, approximately rectangular
in shapes. Blocks sizes are usually greater than 300mm and can exceed
3000mm
No
Possible Causes
Probable Treatments
Joints in underlying layer
Crushed aggregate overlay
Shrinkage and fatigue of
underlying cemented materials
Replace underlying cemented
materials
Shrinkage cracks (due to
bitumen hardening) in
bituminous surfacing
Seal cracks or replace bituminous
surface
Fatigue cracks in embrittled
bituminous wearing course
Cut and patch or crushed
aggregate overlay
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Severity Level of Block Cracks
Low Severity
blocks defined by unspalled cracks with
- mean width of 3mm or less
- cracks with sealant in good condition
Moderate Severity
Cracks with a mean width greater
than 3 mm
10
Severity Level of Block Cracks
High Severity
Severely spalled cracks
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LONGITUDINAL CRACKS
also known as Line Cracks
Longitudinal cracks are:
- cracks which are usually straight and parallel to the centre line
- situated at or near the middle of the lane
- can happen singly or as series
No
Possible Causes
Probable Treatments
Reflection of shrinkage cracks
Cut and patch
Poorly constructed paving lane in
bituminous surfacing
Replace bituminous
surfacing
Displacement of joints at pavement
widening
Reconstruction of joints
Differential settlement between cut
and fill
reconstruction
Reflection of joints in the underlying Crushed aggregate overlay
base
or reconstruction of joints
12
Severity Level of Longitudinal Cracks
Low Severity
- Single cracks without any spalling
- Mean unsealed carcks width of 3mm
or less
Moderate Severity
Cracks width of greater than 3 mm
Severity Level of Longitudinal Cracks
High Severity
- Multiple spalled cracks
Measrument to be taken in assest the crack:
area affected
length of dominant cracks
width of dominant cracks
spacing
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TRANSVERSE CRACKS
Transverse cracks are unconnected cracks running transversely
(perpendicularly to pavement centre line) across the pavement.
No
Possible Causes
Probable Treatments
Reflection of shrinkage cracks
Cut and patch
Construction joint in bituminous
surfacing
Crack sealant
Structural failure of cement
concrete base
Reconstruction of base
Shrinkage crack in bituminous
surfacing
Seal cracks or replace
bituminous surfacing
Reflection of joints in the
underlying base
Crushed aggregate overlay or
reconstrution of joints
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Severity Level of Transverse Cracks
Low Severity
- cracks width less than 3 mm without
any spalling
ModerateSeverity
- cracks width is more than 3 mm
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Severity Level of Transverse Cracks
High Severity
- high severity with spalling
Measrument to be taken in assest the crack:
area affected
spacing
length
predominant crack width
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EDGE CRACKS
Edge cracks are Crescent shaped or fairly continuous cracks, parallel to,
and usually within 300mm to 600mm of the pavement edge.
It usually occurs when paved shoulders do not exist.
No
Possible Causes
Probable Treatments
Excessive traffic loading at
pavement edge
Widen the pavement or
strengthen the pavement edge
Poor drainage at pavement
edge and shoulder
Improve drainage and shoulder
Inadequate pavement width
which forces traffic too close
to pavement edge
Widen the pavement
Insufficient bearing support
reconstruction
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Severity Level of Edge Cracks
Low Severity
- no breakup or ravelling
ModerateSeverity
- with some breakup or ravelling
19
Severity Level of Edge Cracks
High Severity
- with considerable breakup or
ravelling along edge
Measrument to be taken in assest the crack:
area affected
length
predominant crack width
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CRESCENT SHAPED CRACKS
or Parabolic, Slippage, Shear Crack
Crescent Shaped Cracks are commonly associated with shoving, often occur
in closely spaced parallel group.
It is mainly associated with bituminous layer only
No
Possible Causes
Treatment Treatments
Lack of bond between wearing
course and the underlying layers
Cut and patch
Low modulus base course
Reconstruction of base
Thin wearing course
Bituminous overlay
Drangging of paver during laying
when bituminous mix temperature
were low
Cut and patch
High stresses due to braking and
acceleration movements
Bituminous overlay with stiffer
mix or use high compaction
mix
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Severity Level of Crescent Shaped Cracks
Low Severity
- no breakup or shoving
Moderate Severity
- with some breakup or shoving
22
Severity Level of Crescent Shaped Cracks
High Severity
- with considerable breakup and
shoving
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2. SURFACE DEFORMATIONS
Deformation is :
- happen when a road surface undergoes changes from its original
constructed profile
- occur after construction due to trafficking or environmental influences
- influence the riding quality of the pavement
- may reflect structural inadequancies
- may lead to cracking of surface layer
Major types of Surface Deformation are:
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
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2. SURFACE DEFORMATIONS
The major types of Surface Deformation:
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RUTTING
also known as Logitudinal Rut
Rutting is longitudinal deformation or depression in the wheel paths which
occur after repeated application of axle loading.
May occur in one or both wheel paths of a lane.
The length to width ratio would normally be greater than 4 to 1.
No Possible Causes
Probable Treatments
Inadequate pavement thickness
Strengthening overlay or reconstruction
Inadequate compaction of
structural layers
reconstruction
Unstable bituminous mixes
Replace or recycle bituminous surfacing
or use stiffer mix
Unstable shoulder materials
which do not provide adequate
lateral support
Shoulder improvement and overlay
rutted area with bituminous surfacing
Overstressed subgrade which
deform permenantly
reconstruction
26
Severity Level of Rutting
Low Severity
Rut depths of less than 12mm
(measured under a transverse 1.2m
straight edge)
Moderate Severity
Rut depths of between 12 mm to
25 mm
May include slight longitudinal cracks
27
Severity Level of Rutting
High Severity
Rut depths of greater than 25mm
May include multiple longitudinal or
crocodile cracks
Measurements to be taken in the assessment:
maximum depth under a transverse 1.2 m straight edge
length
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CORRUGATIONS
also knows as Rippling
-Are regular transverse undulation, closely spaced alternate valleys and crests
with wavelengths of less than 2 m
- Will result in a rough ride and will become worse with time
No
Possible Causes
Probable Treatments
Inadequate stability of bituminous
surface
Replace bituminous surface
Compaction of base in wave form
Base reconstruction
Faulty paver behavior with some
mixes
Replace the faulty mixes and correct
the faulty paver behavior
Heavy traffic on steep downgrade
or upgrade
Mill of corrugated surface and
replace with stiffer mix
Stopping at intersection stop lights
or roundabout
Mill off corrugated surface and
replace with stiffer mix
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Severity Levels of Corrugation
Low Severity
-Noticeable (based on observation of its
appearance and its effect on riding quality)
Moderate Severity
- Cause rough ride
30
Severity Levels of Corrugation
High Severity
- Very rough ride.
Vehicle may loose control because
of its presence)
Measurements to be taken:
Maximum depth under 1.2m straight edge
Crest to crest spacing
Length of pavement affected
31
DEPRESSIONS
also known as Distortions
Depressions are localized area within a pavement with elevations lower than
the surrounding area.
It results from : Settlement, Slope Failure, Volume Change due to
moisture changes
No
Possible Causes
Probable Treatments
Differential settlement of
subgrade or base materials
Subgrade or base reconstruct
Settlement of service and/or
widening trenches
Reconstruction of services and/or
widening trenches
Volume change of subgrade
due to environmental influences
Improve sub-soil drainage and
reconstruct
Settlement due to instability of
embankment
Embankment stabilization
32
Severity Levels of Depressions
Low Severity
- Noticeable swaying motion
- vehicle is still in good control condition
Moderate Severity
- fair control of vehicle when driving over
pavement
33
Severity Levels of Depressions
High Severity
- poor control of vehicles when driving
over pavement
- driver always having to anticipate
depression ahead
Measurements to be taken:
maximum depth under 1.2m straight edge
area of depression
34
SHOVINGS
Shoving is :
the bulging of the road surface (generally parallel to the direction of traffic,
and/or horizontal displacement of surfacing material)
mainly in the direction of traffic where braking or acceleration movements occur
caused by traffic pushing against the pavement
No
Possible Causes
Probable Treatments
Low stability mix
Mill off and replace the bituminous
surfacing
Lack of bond between asphalt
surface and underlying layer
which may be caused by
excessive tack coating
Replace bituminous surfacing with
lower binder content mix
Unstable granular base reflecting Base reconstruction
through the surface
Stop and start of vehicles at
intersections or roundabout
Mill off and replace with stiffer mix35
Severity Levels of Shoving
Low Severity
- Noticeable swaying motion
- effect on riding quality
Moderate Severity
- resulting in rough ride
36
Severity Levels of Shoving
High Severity
- resulting in very rough ride
- vehicle may loose control
because of its presence
Measurements to be taken:
maximum depth of bulge under 1.2m straight edge
from high point
area affected
37
3. SURFACE DEFECTS
Surface defects cover loss of surfacing materials, micro and macro textures
Influenced on: the serviceability and safety of pavement (skid resistance,
Maneuverability and riding quality)
The main types of Surface Defects are:
I. Bleeding
II. Ravelling
III. Polishing
IV. Delamination
38
SURFACE DEFECTS
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BLEEDING
also known as Flushing, Fating, Slick, Black Spot
Bleeding is the presence of free bitumen binder on the surface, most likely
to occur in the wheel paths during hot weather.
Result from : Upward migration of the binder
Effect: cause low texture depth, inadequate tire to stone contact
No
Possible Causes
Probable Treatments
Excessive application of binder
with respect to the stone size.
Apply hot sand to blot up the
excess ninder
Paving over flushed surfaces.
Apply hot sand or aggregate seal
coat
Paving over excessively primed
surfaces
Apply hot sand
40
Severity Levels of Bleeding
Low Severity
-visible colouring of pavement surface
Moderate Severity
- distinctive appearance with excess bitumen
already free
41
Severity Levels of Bleeding
High Severity
-Gives the pavement a wet look
-Tire marks are evident
Measurements to be taken:
Area affected
Percentage by area of stone immersed
42
RAVELLING
also known as Fretting
Ravelling is the progressive disintegration of the pavement surface by loss
of binder or aggregates or both
No
Possible Causes
Probable Treatments
Insufficient bitumen content
Thin bituminous overlay
Poor adhesion of bitumen binder to
aggregate particles due to wet
aggregate
Thin bituminous overlay
Inadequate compaction or
construction during wet weather
Thin bituminous overlay
Deterioration of binder and/or
aggregates
Thin bituminous overlay
43
Severity Levels of Raveling
Low Severity
- Wearing away of the aggregates has not
progressed significantly
Moderate Severity
- Aggregate/binder has worn away
- The surface texture is becoming rough
and pitted
- Loose particles generally exist
44
Severity Levels of Raveling
High Severity
- The surface texture is very rough
and pitted
45
POLISHING
Polishing is the smoothing and rounding of the upper surface of the roadstones,
exposing coarse aggregates which are glossy in appearance and smooth to touch.
Usually occurs in the wheel paths.
No
Possible Causes
Probable Treatments
Inadequate resistance to polishing
of aggregates surface
Thin bituminous overlay or use
stiffer mix
Use of naturally smooth uncrushed Thin bituminous overlay
aggregates
46
Severity Levels of Polishing
Low Severity
- smoothening and rounding of upper surface
of the roadstone has started
Moderate Severity
- coarse aggregates exposed
47
Severity Levels of Polishing
High Severity
- smoothening and rounding of the
roadstone has progressed significantly
48
DELAMINATION
Also known as Peeling, Surface Lifting, Seal Break, Flaking
Delamination is the loss of a discrete and large area of wearing course.
Clear delineation of the wearing course and the layer below
No
Possible Causes
Probable Treatments
Inadequate cleaning or inadequate
tack coat before placement of upper
layers
Mill off and re-lay upper layers
Seepage of water
Replace wearing course or thin
bituminous overlay
Weak, loose layer immediately
underlying seal
Reconstruction of weak layers
Adhesion of surface binder to
vehicle tyres
Thin bituminous overlay
49
Severity Levels of Delamination
Low Severity
- peeling of the top surface has started
Moderate Severity
- surface area peeled off between
0.1m2 to 2.5m2
- severe crocodiles cracks in and around
the peeled off area.
50
Severity Levels of Delamination
High Severity
- a group of more than 2 moderate
delaminations along a short stretch of road
Measurements to be taken:
thickness of layer peeled off
area of individuall delaminations
number of delaminations
51
4. PATCH AND POTHOLES
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PATCH
Patch is a repaired section of pavement where a portion of the pavement surface
has been removed and replaced.
Effect: Caused further defects, where it raised or depressed below the level
of the pavement surface
Low Severity
- patch is in good condition
- has low severity distress
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PATCH
Moderate Severity
- patch has moderate severity distress
High Severity
- patch has high severity distress
54
POTHOLES
Potholes is bowl shaped cavity in the pavement surface, produced when traffic
breaches small pieces of pavement surface and allow water entry.
Cause by : the loss of wearing course and binder course materials
the weakening of the base course or poor surfacing quality
Severity levels of Potholes:
AREA (square metre)
Depth (mm)
< 0.1
0.1 - 0.3
> 0.3
< 25
Low
Low
Moderate
25 - 50
Moderate
Moderate
High
> 50
Moderate
High
High
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POTHOLES
Low Severity
- area < 0.3m2 and depth < 25mm
Moderate Severity
- area < 0.3m2 with depth 25 mm to 50 mm
56
High Severity
- area > 0.1 m2 with depth > 50 mm
No
Possible Cause
Probable Treatments
Loss of surface course
patching
Moisture entry to base course
through a cracked pavement
surface
Cut and patch
Load associated disintegration of
base
Base reconstruction
57
5. EDGE DEFECTS
Edge Defects occur along the interface of flexible pavement and the shoulder,
where the shoulder is unsealed
The Effect of edge defects:
reduction of pavement width
loss of quality of ride, possible loss of vehicle control
entry of water into base
leading to erosion of shoulder
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5. EDGE DEFECTS
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EDGE BREAKS
Edge break occur when the edge of the bituminous surface are fretted or
broken
No
Possible Causes
Probable Treatments
Inadequate pavement width
Widen the pavement
Alignment which encourage
drivers to travel on pavement
edge
Pavement widening and
realignment
Inadequate edge support
Shoulder strengthening
Edge drop-off
Strengthening and leveling of
shoulder with road surface
Loss of adhesion to base
Cut and patch
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Severity Levels of Edge Break
Low Severity
- edge break has just started
Moderate Severity
- edge break with considerable breakup
61
Severity Levels of Edge Break
High Severity
- significant length of edge break and
surfacing loss
62
EDGE DROP-OFFS
Edge drop-off is the difference elevation between the traffic lane and
outside shoulder
Usually occur when the outside shoulder settles or erodes
It is not a defect if the drop-off is less than 25 mm
No Possible Causes
Probable Treatments
Inadequate pavement width
Widen the pavement
Shoulder material with inadequate Replace shoulder material and
resistance to erosion and
reconstruct
abrasion
Resurfacing of pavement without
resurfacing the shoulder
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Leveling the shoulder with road
surface
63
Severity Levels of Edge Drop-Off
Low Severity
- slight drop-off
Moderate Severity
- significant drop-off
64
Severity Levels of Edge Drop-Off
High Severity
- height of drop > 100 mm and it is
danger to traffic
65