PAVEMENT FAILURE INVESTIGATION: CASE STUDY (ABRIDGMENT)

An investigation of pavement distress occuring along a major two-lane roadway 5 years after its construction is presented. The primary objective of the study was to determine the probable cause or causes of the pavement distress. The investigation involved a condition survey and an examination of the pavement structure and subgrade through soil borings. The condition survey showed that outer wheel path rutting and associated cracks were severe on both lanes and covered about 68 percent of the overall length of the roadway. The soils investigation revealed that the bank gravel subbase was saturated and the bituminous base course had deteriorated to a virtually cohesionless material that could be easily removed with the fingers. Distinct rapid seepage of water was observed at the interface of the base and subbase layers and within the subbase. On the basis of the findings of the investigation, it was concluded that the major factor causing distress was free water trapped within the pavement structure. This water, it was reasoned, infiltrated the pavement through cracks and a porous surface but because of the poor drainability of the subbase was unable to leave the pavement through the shoulders. This situation resulted in the pavement existing in a "bathtub" condition.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1985/1022/1022-018.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=PAVEMENT+FAILURE+INVESTIGATION%3A+CASE+STUDY+(ABRIDGMENT)&author=V.+DIYALJEE&publication_year=1985
• Availability:
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Subsurface Drainage. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Diyaljee, Vishnu A
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 135-139
• Monograph Title: Analysis and testing of granular bases and subbases
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1022
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Defects; Evaluation; Failure; Gravel; Pavement distress; Pavements; Percent saturation; Seepage; Subgrade (Pavements); Surface drainage
• Uncontrolled Terms: Causes; Pavement conditions; Site investigation
• Old TRIS Terms: Highway drainage
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Pavements; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00457458
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309039118
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Aug 31 1986 12:00AM