Wear of asphalt concrete pavement

Because they provide smooth and long-lasting surfaces for parking lots, roadways, and highways, asphalt concrete pavements are an indispensable part of our everyday lives. But over time, asphalt concrete will inevitably experience wear and tear just like any other material. Maintaining and extending the life of these pavements can be made easier by having a better understanding of the factors that lead to asphalt degradation.

Asphalt concrete ages due to a number of factors, such as weather, traffic volume, and maintenance habits. Asphalt surfaces are susceptible to serious damage from the freeze-thaw cycle, intense rainfall, and extreme temperature exposure. Furthermore, the pavement progressively deteriorates due to the continuous pressure and friction from cars, creating potholes, cracks, and other problems.

Timely repairs and routine maintenance are essential for controlling the deterioration of asphalt concrete pavements. We can extend the lifespan and improve the functionality of these surfaces by taking care of minor issues before they grow into larger ones. This article explores the most effective ways to maintain asphalt concrete pavements, as well as the typical reasons of asphalt wear and how to spot damage.

Causes of destruction

The use of asphalt concrete pavements exposes them to a variety of deformations. Impacts from the outside and inside on asphalt concrete pavements cause road wear. The following are some examples of pavement defects brought on by outside influences:

• force loads from car wheels;
• atmospheric precipitation (rain, temperature changes, thawing, snow, freezing).

The following internal factors contribute to the breakdown of asphalt concrete pavement: poor planning, construction, and maintenance of the road project

1. Destruction of the road surface is caused by improper design of the asphalt concrete highway. Inaccurately conducted studies, calculations and errors made when determining the intensity of the flow of vehicles can contribute to the formation of defects on the road made of asphalt concrete and lead to the destruction of the road structure, namely: the integrity of the asphalt layer on road surfaces will be compromised; the base soil will subside; the strength of the soil cushion will decrease; wear of the asphalt concrete flooring will follow.
2. Old methods were used and low-quality materials were selected when working with asphalt concrete pavement. Very recently, hot asphalt concrete mixtures containing low-quality bitumen were used for installation, laying asphalt mortar and repairing roads. It caused damage to the road surface and worsened the strength characteristics of the finished mixture for paving the road surface. However, construction does not stand still, and today the latest polymer-bitumen materials are being developed and implemented that can significantly improve the properties of the material and the future road. Various additives to the mixture have become very popular for: improving adhesion, increasing resistance to water and cracking. Thanks to these additives, the road surface is resistant to sub-zero temperatures. To avoid defects and wear of the road surface, it is necessary not only to use new mixtures for laying asphalt, but also to choose new technologies that will stabilize and strengthen the weakened mobile soils of the base. To prevent destruction of the coating, a reinforcing mesh is used, which will strengthen the road structure and increase the service life of the asphalt surface.
3. Defects and wear on the asphalt concrete surface occur due to an incorrect technological process during the construction of the road structure. Destruction is formed due to errors made during the laying of asphalt and repair of the road. Violations of the rules for the transportation of asphalt concrete mortar contribute to the occurrence of defects, as a result of which the mixture is supplied at the wrong temperature. When compacting the laid mixture, air bubbles were not removed or, conversely, the solution was too compacted, then the asphalt surface will begin to crack and delaminate. Destruction of the route can occur as a result of poor preparation of the roadbed and work on laying the road structure.
4. Defects on the road surface are most often formed as a result of weather conditions, when during rains moisture penetrates the asphalt surface, and hot rays of the sun spoil the top layer of the road – the strength of asphalt concrete deteriorates, which leads to the formation of potholes. During sub-zero temperatures, the moisture accumulated in the asphalt concrete layers can increase in volume and thereby destroy the structure and compaction of the asphalt.
5. As a result of heavy loads from vehicles, the road surface is destroyed. High loads on the road surface are caused by the intensive flow of vehicles, as a result of which the 24-hour throughput rate is exceeded and, as a consequence, the resource of the road surface is reduced. Increased axial load due to the use of road surfaces by heavy-duty vehicles leads to destruction of the asphalt concrete surface, the formation of ruts and cracks.

A complex interplay of internal and external factors can cause damage to the asphalt concrete road surface.

Main types of defects

The following types of damage can occur in asphalt concrete:

• Break. It is a cut in the asphalt area where the flow of vehicles passes. If cracks are not patched in time, they can increase in size and turn into a large-diameter breach.
• Expiration of service life. Destruction associated with long-term use of a road surface that has not been repaired affects the thickness of the asphalt concrete layer.
• Reduction in the strength of asphalt concrete. As a result of heavy loads from heavy trucks, the road surface subsides and the destruction of the top layer of the pavement in the form of unevenness, potholes and ruts.
• Potholes. Destruction in the form of potholes are depressions with a sharp break in the edge, which occur due to improper laying of asphalt concrete using low-quality materials.
• Peeling. Formation of peeling on the road surface due to separation of particles of the pavement from the top layer. Formed due to constant variable effects on the road surface of frost and thaw.
• Climate effects. During the period of snow melting, a large amount of liquid is formed, which can destroy the road surface, which entails a decrease in the strength characteristics of asphalt concrete.
• Chipping. This type of damage occurs due to a violation of the laying or repair of the road surface, namely work in precipitation or subzero temperatures.
• Cracks. Cracks form on the road surface as a result of a sharp change in temperature.
• Subsidence. Subsidence occurs due to the selected low-quality materials for laying the road surface, as well as due to insufficient compaction of the asphalt mixture or soil.

One important factor influencing the lifespan and security of our roads is the deterioration of asphalt concrete pavement. Surface deterioration, cracks, and potholes can occur as a result of weather, traffic volume, and poor maintenance over time. It is crucial to comprehend the causes and consequences of pavement wear in order to create efficient repair and maintenance plans that will guarantee safer, smoother, and longer-lasting roads for all users.

How to prevent road damage?

Comprehensive steps are taken to remove trouble spots from the route in order to prevent the destruction of asphalt concrete pavements. Early damage detection will enhance the strength properties of the asphalt pavement and stop new cracks and potholes from forming.

Damage control techniques help you to keep the route’s necessary transport and operational indicators intact, protect the coating’s integrity and the structure, and extend the life of the vehicle’s surface. Among these techniques are:

• Using the latest materials, equipment and technology for laying asphalt on highways. Polymer mixtures are used, which are added to the solution at the stage of its production, which are necessary to increase heat resistance in the hot season, when the coating is exposed to direct sunlight and high temperatures. Polymers in the asphalt mixture reduce the formation of cracks during low air temperatures, and prevent the formation of potholes during the use of the highway.
• In the process of installing the road surface, all the rules and requirements for installing the highway should be followed: carry out thorough compaction of the soil and asphalt mixture, add a binding component – bitumen to the solution in the required proportions to ensure the necessary adhesion and improve the roughness of the coating.
• To avoid the formation of road damage, it is important to carry out repairs not only when necessary, but also for preventive purposes. Untimely work worsens the condition of the road surface and leads to increased costs for bringing the automobile surfaces to a standard condition. Belated repair of the road surface leads to the use of more reinforced thick layers of road surface and high costs for repairing the road surface.

It is essential to comprehend how asphalt concrete pavement ages in order to maintain sturdy and secure roadways. The lifespan of pavement can be considerably increased by timely maintenance and routine inspection, guaranteeing efficient and smooth transportation. Cracks, potholes, and rutting are typical wear indicators that, if ignored, can all result in more serious damage.

To reduce wear and tear, good design, high-quality materials, and proper construction methods are crucial. Road authorities can save repair costs and increase road safety by addressing problems early and taking preventive action. To maximize pavement performance, environmental aspects, traffic volume, and material quality must be taken into account.

The longevity of asphalt concrete pavements can be further increased by making investments in cutting-edge materials and contemporary technologies. The long-term resilience of road infrastructure is enhanced by cutting-edge monitoring systems and environmentally friendly practices. The road network, the economy, and the environment all gain from proactive pavement maintenance in the end.

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