BS eral boa A GUIDE TO o THE VISUAL ASSESSMENT OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT SURFACE CONDITIONS a ie Aepaon PONTO CLL OCU CAWANGAN JALANJABATAN KERJA RAYA MALAYSIA A GUIDE TO VISUAL ASSESSMENT OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT SURFACE CONDITIONS Extracts from the text may be reproduced except for commercial purposes, provided the source is acknowledged. December 1992FOREWORD In Malaysia as well as in most other countries in the world, the road network remains the predominant mode of transportation facility. To ensure its continued efficiency and accessibility, the road network has to be maintained to a high standard. Research work carried out at Institut Kerja Raya Malaysia (IKRAM) has enable Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) Malaysia to understand and develop improved techniques for the maintenance of the road network. It is the aspiration of JKR to be able to share this knowledge with those that are involved in road building and maintenance activities. It is therefore my pleasure to introduce this first edition of A Guide to Visual Assessment of Flexible Pavement Surface Conditions. This guide, which is the first part of a series of guidelines on road maintenance techniques has a two fold purpose. Firstly, it is to encourage the usage of common nomenclature for the various pavement conditions and secondly it hopes to promote more effective maintenance works with the indication of the possible causes of each different type of pavement distress and their probable treatments. It is my hope that this guideline will be of help to all who are involved in road maintenance activities and contribute significantly towards better maintenance techniques. (Tan Sri Dato’ Ir. Wan A. Rahman Yaacob) Director General of Public Works Jabatan Kerja Raya MalaysiaACKNOWLEDGEMENT This guide is prepared by the Pavement Research Unit (Head: Ir Mohamed Shafi Mustafa). The authors of this guideline are Ir Koid Teng Hye, Ir Mohamed Shafli Mustafa, Mohd Sabri Hasim, Abd. Mutalif K. A. Abd. Hameed and Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Malek. The document forms part of a series of guidelines on the design, construction and maintenance of flexible pavements which the Pavement Research Unit produces as part of their studies. The guide was reviewed by a Committee headed by the Director of IKRAM, Ir Ng Chong Yuen. Other members of the Committee were ir Han Joke Kwang, IKRAM; Jr Aik Siaw Kong, Road Maintenance, Roads Branch; tr Tai Meu Choi, Road Maintenance, Roads Branch; Ir Zainol Rashid Zainuddin, Road Maintenance, Roads Branch; ir Lee Swee Kee, Road Design, Roads Branch. The authors thank the Director General of Public Works Malaysia for his petmission to publish the guideline.1.0 CONTENTS FOREWORD ACKNOWLEDGEMENT INTRODUCTION CATALOGUE OF DISTRESSES IN BITUMINOUS SURFACES 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 PAVEMENT CRACKS 21 Crocodile 22 Block 23 Longitudinal 24 Transverse 25 Edge 2.6 — Crescent Shaped SURFACE DEFORMATIONS 3.1 Rutting 3.2 Depression 3.3 Cornugation 3.4 Shoving SURFACE DEFECTS 4.1 Bleeding 4.2 Polishing 4.3 Ravelling 44 Delamination PATCH POTHOLE EDGE DEFECTS 7.4 Edge Break 7.2 Edge Drop On GLOSSARY REFERENCES Page 38 40 42 47 49Assessment of pavement surface conditions is used in one form or another by most road departments and/or highway authorities as a measure of the ability of the pavement to continue to provide the Tequired service to the public. More importantly, it is used in determining deficiencies and inadequacies of pavements, the remedial measures to be taken, its fiscal needs, planning and programming of pavement maintenance and/or rehabilitation. This guide is for the assessment of flexible toad pavements only. Concrete pavements and unpaved roads are not covered by this guide. The aims of this guide are: i) te provide a uniform nomenclature for the description of visible pavement distresses. i) to. provide a comprehensive catalogue of the major visible distress types. 1.0 ii) to promote the usage of distress recognition as an aid to the diagnosis of pavement deficiencies. Pavement distresses are categorized and quantified. Illustrations of each category are provided to lend uniformity to reporting and interpretation. Description of the severity of the particular distress is made to conform with standard words that express the relative severity on a low, moderate or high scale. The following data are also provided for each distress type: ) common synonymis). ii) _ description of the essential features of the distress. it) photographs of typical examples. iv) list of probable or most likely causes, v) _ list of probable treatments,Longitudinal Transverse Edge — ROAD 7 Seg Dy wy Block Crocodile Crescent shaped FIGURE 1: TYPES OF CRACKS2.0 Cracks are fissures resulting from partial or complete fractures of the pavement surface. Cracking of road pavement surfaces can happen in a wide variety of patterns, ranging from isolated single crack to an interconnected pattern extending over the entire pavement surface. The detrimental effects associated with the presence of cracks are: i) loss of water-proofing of the pavement layers, il) oss of load spreading ability of the cracked material. iii) pumping and loss of fines from the base course, iv) loss of riding quality through loss of surfacing. v) _ loss of appearance. The loss of load spreading ability and water-proofing will usually lead to accelerated deterioration of the pavement condition. The possible causes of cracks include: i depression. il) fatigue life of the surfacing being exceeded. iii) age embrittlement of the surfacing. iv) reflection of cracks in underlying layers. v) shrinkage. vi) poor construction joints. This section includes the following types of cracks: ) crocodile cracks. ii) block cracks. ii) longitudinal cracks. iv) transverse cracks. Vv) edge cracks. vi) crescent shaped cracks. ‘The general form of the various types of cracks is illustrated in Figure 1.Low severity with interconnected hairline cracks Moderate severity with lightly spalled cracks High severity with severe spalling2.1 SYNONYMS Alligator, chicken wire, fish net, polygonal, fatigue cracks. DESCRIPTION Crocodile cracks are interconnected or interlaced cracks which form a network of multi-sided blocks resembling the skin of a crocodile. The block size can range from 100 mm to about 300 mm. Crocodile cracks is a consequence of the inability of the structure to support the repeated loads due to a "softening" of the material normally associated with increase in moisture content. The cracks in the subbase or subgrade tend to spread rapidly under rain and traffic causing blocks of surfacing to be displaced and broken up. SEVERITY LEVELS Low Interconnected or interlaced hairline cracks running parallel to each other; cracks not spalled. Moderate A pattern of articulated pieces formed by cracks that may be lightly spalled, Cracks may be sealed. High Pieces more severely spalled at edges and loosened; pieces rock under traffic; pumping may exist. MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN a) area affected, b) predominant crack width ©) predominant cell width. inadequate pavement thickness strengthen the pavement or reconstruction low modulus base strengthen the base or reconstruction brittle base base recycling or reconstruction poor base drainage improve the drainage and reconstruct ala le [ro brittle wearing course replace or treat wearing courseLow severity with cracks’ width < 3 mm Moderate severity with cracks’ width > 3 mm High severity with severely spalled cracks2.2 SYNONYM Ladder cracks. DESCRIPTION Block cracks are interconnected cracks forming a series of blocks, approximately rectangular in shape. Block sizes are usually greater than 300 mm and can exceed 3000 mm. SEVERITY LEVELS Low Blocks defined by unspalled cracks with a mean width of 3 mm or less; cracks with sealant in good condition, cemented materials shrinkage cracks (due to bitumen hardening) in bituminous surfacing shrinkage and fatigue of underlying Moderate Blocks defined by moderately spalled cracks; cracks with a mean width greater than 3 mm. High Blocks well defined by severely spalled cracks. MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN a) area affected. b) predominant crack width. ©) _ predominant cell width. replace underlying cemented materials fatigue cracks in embrittled cut and patch or crushed aggregate bituminous wearing course overlay seal cracks or replace bituminous surfacingLow severity single crack without any spalling Moderate severity with crack's width > 3 mm High severity with multiple spalled cracksSYNONYM Line cracks DESCRIPTION Longitudinal cracks are cracks which are usually straight and parallel to the centre line, situated at or near the middle of the lane. It can happen singly or as series of almost parallel cracks or with some limited branching. SEVERITY LEVELS Low ‘Cracks with low severity or no spalling; mean unsealed crack width of 3 mm or less. reflection of shrinkage cracks poorly constructed paving lane in bituminous surfacing 2.3 Moderate Cracks with moderately severe spalling; mean unsealed crack width of greater than 3 mm; sealant material in bad condition. High Cracks with high severity spalling. MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN a) width of dominant crack. b) length of dominant crack. ©) spacing, d) area affected cut and patch replace bituminous surfacing displacement of joints at pavement widening differential settiement between cut and fill reconstruction of joints reconstruction reflection of joints in the underlying base 10Low severity with crack's width < 3 mm without any spalling Moderate severity with crack's width > 3 mm High severity with spalling2.4 DESCRIPTION Transverse cracks are unconnected cracks running transversely (relatively perpendicular to pavement centre line) across the pavement. SEVERITY LEVELS Low ‘Cracks with low severity or no spalling; mean unsealed crack width of 3 mm or tess; sealant material in good condition. concrete base 1. __| reflection of shrinkage cracks 2. | construction joint in bituminous surfacing 3. | structural failure of portland cement Moder: Cracks with moderate severity spalling; mean unsealed crack width of greater than 3 mm; sealant material in bad condition, High Cracks with high severity spalling, MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN a) predominant crack width, b) spacing. c) length. 4) area atfected. cut and pateh crack sealant reconstruction of base 4. | shrinkage crack in bituminous seal cracks of replace bituminous surfacing surfacing 5. | reflection of joints in the underlying | crushed aggregate overlay or base reconstruction of jointsLow severity with no breakup of ravelling Moderate severity with some breakup High severity with considerable breakup 132.5 DESCRIPTION Edge cracks are crescent shaped or fairly continuous cracks, parallel to, and usually within 300 mm to 600 mm of the pavement edge. It usually occurs when paved shoulders do not exist. SEVERITY LEVELS Low Cracks with no breakup or ravelling. Moderate Cracks with some breakup or ravelling. High Cracks with considerable breakup or ravelling along edge. MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN a) predominant crack width. b) area affected ©) length SES. edge excessive traffic loading at pavement EATM widen the pavement or strengthen the pavement edge shoulder poor drainage at pavement edge and improve drainage and shoulder inadequate pavement width which edge forces trattic too close to pavement widen the pavement insufficient bearing support reconstructionLow severity with no breakup Moderate severity with some breakup High severity with considerable breakup and shoving 152.6 SYNONYMS Parabolic, slippage, shear cracks, DESCRIPTION This type of cracks are half moon or crescent shaped cracks, commonly associated with shoving, often occurring in closely spaced parallel group. It is mainly associated with bituminous layer only. SEVERITY LEVELS Low Cracks with-no breakup or shoving. lack of bond between wearing course and the underlying layers Moderate Cracks with some breakup or shoving. High Cracks with considerable breakup or shoving. MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN a) _ predominant crack width. b) area affected. cut and patch low modulus base course reconstruction of base thin wearing course bituminous overlay dragging of paver during laying when bituminous mix temperatures were low cut and patch high stresses due to braking and acceleration movements 16 bituminous overlay with stiffer mix or use high compaction mix (HCM)Shgving Rutting Depression Corrugation FIGURE. TYPES OF SURFACE DEFORMATION 7Deformation takes place when a road surface undergoes changes from ifs original constructed profile. It may occur after construction due to trafficking or environmental influences, In some cases, deformation may be built into a new pavement owing to inadequate control during construction. It influences the riding quality of a pavement and may reflect structural inadequacies. It may lead to cracking of the surface layer, The major types of surface deformation covered in this section are: )——tutting. i) corrugation. ii) depression, iv) shoving. ‘The generat form of the various types of surface deformation is illustrated in Figure 2. 18Low severity with rut depths < 12 mm Moderate severity with rut depths between 12 mm to 25 mm High severity with rut depths > 25 mm 193.1 SYNONYMS: Longitudinal rut. DESCRIPTION Rutting is longitudinal deformation or depression in the wheel paths which occur after repeated applications of axle loading. It may occur in one or both wheel paths of a lane. The length to width ratio would normally be greater than 4 to 1. SEVERITY LEVELS Low Rut depths of less than 12 mm (measured under a transverse 1,2 m straight edge) Moderate Rut depths of between 12 mm to 25 mm (may include slight longitudinal cracks). High Rut depths of greater than 25 mm (may include multiple longitudinal or crocodile cracks). MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN a) maximum depth under a transverse 1.2 m straight edge. b) length. 1. | inadequate pavement thickness strengthening overlay or reconstruction 2. | adequate compaction of structural __| reconstruction layers 3. | unstable bituminous mixes replace or recycle bituminous Surfacing or use stiffer mix/HCM 4. | unstable shoulder materials which do not provide adequate lateral support shoulder improvement and overlay rutted area with bituminous surfacing 5. | overstressed subgrade which deforms permanently reconstruction 6, _| unstable granular bases or sub-bases base or sub-base strengtheningLow severity - noticeable Moderate severity causing rough ride High severity causing very rough ride at3.2 SYNONYM Rippling DESCRIPTION Corrugations are regular transverse undulations, closely spaced alternate valleys and crests with wavelengths of less than 2 m, Generally, it will result in a rough ride and will become worse with time. SEVERITY LEVELS Low Noticeable (based on observation of its appearance and its effect on riding quality). Moderate Rough ride. High Very rough ride. Vehicle may lose control because of its presence, MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN a) maximum depth under 1.2 m straight edge. b) crest to crest spacing. ©) _ length of pavement affected. replace bituminous surface 1. | inadequate stability of bituminous surface 2.__| compaction of base in wave form _| base reconstruction 3, | faulty paver behaviour with some —_| replace the faulty mixes and correct mixes the faulty paver behaviour or roundabout 4. | heavy traffic on steep downgrade or | mill off corrugated surface and replace upgrade with stiffer mix or use HCM 5. __ | stopping at intersection stop lights | mill off corrugated surface and replace with stiffer mix or use HOM 6. inadequate stability of base course _| base reconstruction 22Low severity with noticeable swaying motion Moderate severity with fair control of vehicle High severity with poor control of vehicle 233.3 SYNONYM Distortions. DESCRIPTION Depressions are localized areas within a Pavement with elevations lower than the surrounding area, They may not be confined to wheel paths only but may extend across several wheel paths, Generally, it results from settlement, slope failure, or volume changes due to moisture changes. SEVERITY LEVELS Low Noticeable swaying motion, Good control of vehicle still present. (Based on the interaction between vehicle and pavement surface depression). Moderate Fair control of vehicle when driving over pavement. High Poor control of vehicle when driving over pavement with driver always having to anticipate depression ahead, MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN a) maximum depth under 1.2 m straight edge. b) area of depression. base materials differential settlement of subgrade or subgrade or base reconstruction settlement of services and/or widening trenches environmental influences 4, | settlement due to instability of embankment 3. | volume change of subgrade due to. 24 reconstruction of services and/or widening trenches improve sub-soil drainage and reconstruct embankment stabilizationLow severity with noticeable swaying motion Moderate severity resulting in rough ride High severity resulting in very rough ride 253.4 DESCRIPTION ‘Shoving is the bulging of the road surface generally parallel to the direction of traffic and/or horizontal displacement of surfacing materials, mainly in the direction of traffic where braking or acceleration movements occur, caused by traffic pushing against the pavement. Transverse shoving may arise with tuming movements. SEVERITY LEVELS. Low Noticeable. (Based on observation of its appearance and its effect on riding quality). 2OSSIBLE CAUSE: Moderate Rough ride. High Very rough ride, Vehicle may lose control because of its presence. MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN a) maximum depth of bulge under 1.2 m straight edge from high point. b) area affected. low stability mix mill off and replace the bituminous surfacing 2, _ | lack of bond between asphalt surface | replace bituminous surfacing with and underlying layer which may be caused by excessive tack coat acting lower binder content mix intersections or roundabout as lubricant 3. unstable granular base reflecting base reconstruction ptrouah the surface 4, stop and start of vehicles at mill off and replace with stiffer mix or use HCM 5. _| inadequate pavement thickness bituminous overlay or reconstruction 26Delamination Polishing na aL a an —=— Se FIGURE 3 : TYPES OF SURFACE DEFECTS a74.0 Surface defects cover loss of surfacing materials, loss of surface micro and macro textures. While they do not usually indicate pavement structural inadequacy, they have a significant influence on the serviceability and safety of a pavement, especially with regard to skid resistance, maneuverability and riding quality. Some defects, if not corrected, may lead to subsequent loss of pavement structural integrity. ‘The major types of surface defects are:- i bleeding. i) ravelling. ii) polishing. iv) delamination. ‘The general form of the various defect types is illustrated in Figure 3. 28Low severity with visible colouring of pavement surface Moderate severity with excess bitumen already free High severity which gives the pavement surface a wet look 294.1 SYNONYMS Flushing, fatting, slick, black spot, DESCRIPTION Bleeding is the presence of free bitumen binder on the surface resulting from upward migration of the binder, causing low texture depth and inadequate tyre to stone contact. It is most likely to occur in the wheel paths during hot weather. ‘SEVERITY LEVELS Low Colouring of pavement surface visible. excessive application of binder with respect to the stone size. On hot days, the binder expands into air voids; it volume of air voids is too low, continued expansion results in lower stability of the mix with the consequence that traftic will force out excess binder to the surface paving over flushed surfaces. The excess bitumen on the old surface may be pumped up through the new paving over a period of time paving over excessively primed apply hot sand 30 Moderate Distinctive appearance with excess bitumen already free. High Free bitumen which gives the pavement surface a wet look. Tyre marks are evident. MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN a) area affected. b) percentage immersed. by area of stone apply hot sand to blot up the excess binder apply hot sand or aggregate seal coatLow severity where wearing away of the aggregate has not progressed significantly Moderate severity with worn away aggregate and binder High severity with rough and pitted surface 314.2 SYNONYM Fretting. DESCRIPTION Ravelling is the progressive disintegration of the pavement surface by loss of binder or aggregates or both. SEVERITY LEVELS. Low Wearing away of the aggregate or binder has started but has not progressed significantly. Moderate Aggregate and/or binder has worn away and the surface texture is becoming rough and pitted. Loose particles generally exist. High Aggregate and/or binder has worn away and the surface texture is very rough and pitted. MEASUREMENT TO BE TAKEN area affected, a) insufficient bitumen content thin bituminous overlay poor adhesion of bitumen binder to inadequate compaction or construction during wet weather la | deterioration of binder and/or aggregate 32 aggregate particles due to wet aggregate thin bituminous overlay thin bituminous overlay thin bituminous overlaySmoothening and rounding of the upper surface of the roadstone has started Coarse aggregate exposed Smoothening and rounding of the roadstone has progressed significantly 334.3 DESCRIPTION ‘SEVERITY LEVELS Not applicable, However, the degree of polishing may be reflected in a reduction of skid resistance, Polishing is the smoothening and rounding of the upper surface of the roadstone, exposing coarse aggregate which are glossy in appearance and smooth to the touch. It usually occurs in the wheel paths. MEASUREMENT TO BE TAKEN a) area affected. BABLE TREATMENTS thin bituminous overiay or use of stiffer mix or use HCM. inadequate resistance to polishing of surface aggregates, particularly in areas of heavy traffic movements or where high stresses are developed between surface and tyres. 2. | use of naturally smooth uncrushed thin bituminous overlay aggregatesLow severity where peeling of the top surface has started Moderate severity with surface area peeled off between 0.1 m? and 2.5 m? High severity with group of delaminations 354.4 Moderate Surface area peeled off is between 0.1 m? to 25 m? Severe crocodile cracks in and around the peeled off area. SYNONYMS Peeling, surface lifting, seal break, flaking DESCRIPTION High A group of more than two (2) moderate Delamination is \ fa dis te id . amination is ihe loss of a discrete an delaminations along a short stretch of road. large (minimum 0,01 square metre) area of the wearing course. Usually there is a clear delineation of the wearing course and the MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN layer below. syernei a) thickness of layer(s) peeled off. SEVERITY LEVELS b) area of individual delaminations. °) number of delaminations. Low Peeling of the top layer has started but has not progressed significantly. Surface area peeled off is less than 0.1 m*, POSSIBLE CAUSES _ inadequate cleaning or inadequate tack mill off and re-lay upper layers coat before placement of upper layers. seepage of water through asphalt, replace wearing course or thin especially in cracks, to break bond between | bituminous overlay surface and lower layers weak, loose layer immediately underlying —_| reconstruction of weak layers seal adhesion of surface binder to vehicle tyres _| thin bituminous overlay 36Patch with low severity distress Patch with moderate severity distress Patch with high severity distress 375.0 DESCRIPTION A patch is a repaired section of pavement where a portion of the pavement surface has been temoved and replaced (see FIGURE 4). It may or may not be associated with either a loss of serviceability (apart from a loss of appearance) or structural capacity, The extent and frequency of patching can be useful indicators of the structural adequacy of the pavement. Defects can occur within a patch or the patch can be a further defect where itis raised or depressed below the level of the pavement surface. SEVERITY LEVELS Low Patch is in good condition or has low severity distress of any type. Moderate Patch has moderate severity distress of any type. High Patch has high severity distress of any type. MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN a) area of patch at each severity level. b) —_ number of patches at each severity level. Pate. Potnote ‘Shoulder FIGURE. "”ATCH AND POTHOLE 38Low severity with area < 0.3 m? and depth < 25 mm Moderate severity with depth between 25 mm to 50 mm and area < 0.3 m* Group of potholes with depth > 50 mm and area > 0.1 m? 39