Are you worried about your asphalt pavement failure?

Well, most of the residential, commercial, and municipal people suffer this common problem of asphalt pavement failure. Even if you don’t want it, still it happens. It’s not something that is in your hand, but you can apply an alternative repair solution to overcome this problem.

One good thing about the asphalt pavement defects is that you don’t need to replace total asphalt. Due to extremely cold temperatures, excessive precipitation, salting and strain, pavement causes cracks and potholes. If you repair those cracks or potholes in the beginning stage, it would stop your asphalt from further deterioration which may cost you more or sometimes you need to replace the total asphalt surface.

Keeping routine maintenance or repairing the potholes & cracks in the beginning stage is very important because it helps to stop small problems from turning into big ones.

This will help you to save bigger expenses in the long run by extending the overall lifespan of your asphalt. Whereas, if you don’t give your asphalt surface maintenance or first stage repair, cracks or potholes grow that leads you to invest more while replacing the total asphalt surface.

What is Pavement Failure?

asphalt pavement failures

Pavement failure occurs when asphalt surface is no longer able to hold its original shape and develops material stress which causes issues. There are various types of asphalt pavement failure which includes pothole, depression, edge cracks, bleeding, rutting, etc.

What Causes Pavement Failure?

There are numbers of variables by which pavement failure occur including, stress from heavy vehicles, water intrusion, expansion, and contraction from seasonal temperature changes UV rays.

Now, you might be eager to know the failure that can occur.

Read on to know…

What are the Common Asphalt Failures?

When pavement fails early, it’s usually a result of general soil issues, localized soil issues, or poor fabrication and engineering. Moreover, harsh weather can play the most important role in the deterioration of the asphalt surface.

#1: Potholes

asphalt pavement failure

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’ll form a large hole which will spread over time. Major reasons why potholes occur:

  • Weak pavement, surface, base, or sub-grade
  • Thin surface
  • Poor drainage

We’re asphalt professional team which will minimize all the chances of seeping the water inside and letting your surface form potholes by giving it routine maintenance after pavement.

#2: Alligator Cracks

asphalt pavement failure

This is very common type of  asphalt pavement failure. It refers to a surface damaged in a way that the cracks form a pattern that looks like reptile scales. This is the most serious issue that can harm your asphalt surface. It is caused by:

  • Weak surface, base, or sub-base
  • Thin surface or base
  • Poor drainage

Alligator cracking is commonly found at intersections where vehicles are parked for a continuous amount of time. Water intrusion and base compression can be the result of alligator cracking.

#3: Depressions

asphalt pavement failure

Depressions are the small distressed area. Their height will be slightly lower than the surrounding areas. Depressions should be repaired by removing the affected pavement, digging out, and then replacing the area of the poor sub-grade. It can be caused by:

  • Consolidation of sub-grade
  • Poor construction
  • Poor drainage

Our crews are smart enough to give correct maintenance and don’t let the surface form odd sub-bases or compaction. We’ll also make a correct elevation for the water to flow from the base so that it won’t cause further issues like raveling or potholes.

#4: Edge Cracks

asphalt pavement failure

Edge cracking is a pavement distress which frequently occurs on narrow pavements. This distress can be started by shrinkage of the asphalt at the edge of the pavement. Edge load tend to be the cause of these types of cracking or failures. Edge cracks causes are:

  • Lack of lateral support
  • Settlement of underlying material
  • Shrinkage of soil drying out

We’ll lower all the chances of getting your surface a problem of edge cracks by putting sufficient base material of high-quality and let your surface hold or driven heavy vehicles. Get-to-know more about other pothole repair methods in Toronto. 

#5: Slippage Cracks

asphalt pavement failure

These types of cracks will be of half-moon shape having two ends pointed away from the direction of traffic. New material will slip over the underlying material in this crack. Slippage cracks are caused by:

  • No bond between layers
  • No bond due to dust
  • Mixture has high sand content

Our potential expert crews will install new pavement by cleaning the base properly and putting some material that best grips the new material. They’ll even compact it properly and give routine maintenance to prolong your asphalt surface life.

#6: Bleeding

asphalt pavement failure

Bleeding occurs when asphalt binder fills the aggregate voids during hot weather or traffic compaction and then expands onto the pavement surface. This can be caused by:

  • Excess asphalt
  • Low air voids
  • Excess prime or tack

We are having experience in every type of asphalt pavement like municipal, commercial, and residential. So, we will always pour material as much is needed to make it compact and give the surface a smooth drivable experience for the drivers.

#7: Ravelling

asphalt pavement failure

Ravelling is the progressive disintegration of hot mix asphalt layer from the surface downward as a result of the aggregate particles. As the erosion continues, larger and larger particles are broken and the pavement soon has a rough appearance. This can be caused by:

  • Lack of compaction
  • Dirty aggregate
  • Over-heating mix

A thin hot mix overlay can be the most effective solution to this problem. Sand seal, chip seal, and micro surfacing can be its alternative solution. Click here to know more about other pavement replacement methods.

#8: Rutting

asphalt pavement failure

Ruts in asphalt pavements are channelized depressions in the wheel tracks. It results from consolidation or lateral movement of any of the pavement layers or the sub-grade under traffic. Rutting can be caused by:

  • Displacement in asphalt surface layer
  • Not compacted properly

If the rutting is minor then it can be filled and overlaid but if the distress is severe then the rutted area should be removed and replaced with the suitable material.

Choose the Right Asphalt Solution! Choose Main Infrastructure!

If your driveway or parking lot is experiencing frequent pavement failure, it would be best to fix this issue before it worsens or expands.

There are variety of methods that can be used by asphalt contractors to repair distressed pavement.  If you notice these signs, your first step should be to consult a professional and reputable pavement repair companies to evaluate your pavement.

We at Main Infrastructure would give you a free quote to identify your surface & come up with the action plans for the pavement issues.

Main Infrastructure provide you with all-in-one solution related to your asphalt surface. Whether you need asphalt crack sealing, infrared asphalt repairs, Eco-friendly asphalt paving services, or any other asphalt-related service, our highly trained people have the skills and experience to provide you with quality results at competitive rates.

Nobody wants to deal with pavement failure, but it’s an unfortunate fact of life for some properties. If you have a pavement issue, you’d like to discuss then make smart choices and speak to our asphalt paving experts right away.

If you are looking for asphalt paving services, Main Infrastructure offers safe, innovative and reliable services.

For Any Further queries, feel Free to CALL US Anytime!!

Call Us: +1 (416) 514-0809

asphalt pavement failures

3 thoughts on “8 Most Common Types of Asphalt Pavement Failure You Should Know

  1. Thanks for the reminder that traffic from heavy vehicles can cause problems on paving. I’d like to know more about chip seal paving services because I’m planning to have a home renovation for one of my investment properties. I think that a prettier driveway will boost its curb appeal.

  2. A faulty asphalt installation could really make things difficult around here for sure. If we try to install it all on our own, I can see the driveway having issues like these for sure, thus wasting our money in the process. Once I find an asphalt paving expert in the area, I’ll definitely ask them to lend us a hand.

  3. It’s really helpful to read all about the different ways a pavement job can end up failing. This does make me think that we should try and avoid any kind of DIY attempt with this since it’s going to take up a lot of time and we can easily make a lot of mistakes and waste a lot of money. I’ll avoid my own attempts for this first and rely on the experts of a local paving contractor.

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