Got Asphalt Failures?
You need a total asphalt replacement. Well, that’s not what you want to hear, is it?
The good news is that many asphalt failures do not result in total asphalt replacement. To better understand some of the most common asphalt failures and what causes them, we’ve put together this quick overview:
Potholes
A pothole is a type of asphalt pavement failure caused by the presence of water in the underlying soil structure and the presence of traffic passing over the affected area.
• Weak pavement, surface, base, sub-grade
• Thin surface
• Excess or deficient fines
• Poor drainage
Alligator Cracks
Alligatoring is easily recognized by a series of cracks in asphalt grouped in one area. It is caused by:
• Weak surface, base or sub-base
• Thin surface or base
• Poor drainage
Depressions
Depressions are areas of pavement surfaces that are slightly lower in height than the surrounding pavement. Depressions are caused by:
• Consolidation of sub-grade
• Poor construction
• Poor drainage
Edge Cracks
Edge cracks are cracks that travel along the inside edge of an asphalt pavement surface within one or two feet. The causes of edge cracks are:
• Lack of lateral support
• Settlement of underlying material
• Shrinkage of soil drying out
Slippage Cracks
Slippage cracks are crescent-shaped cracks in the surface of an asphalt surface where the new material has slipped over the underlying layer. Causes of slippage cracks are:
• No bond between layers
• No bond due to dust
• Tack coat not used
• Mixture has high sand content
Bleeding
Bleeding is when parts of the surface of asphalt become shiny in the form of a black surface film. Bleeding can be caused by:
• Excess asphalt
• Low air voids
• Excess prime or tack
Raveling
Raveling is the on-going separation of aggregate particles in an asphalt surface downward or from the edges inward. Raveling can be caused by:
• Lack of compaction
• Constructed in cold or wet weather
• Dirty aggregate
• Dry mix
• Over heating mix
Rutting
When channel depressions form on the surface of asphalt pavement where the wheels of vehicles have traveled it is called rutting. This asphalt failure is caused by:
• Consolidation or lateral movement under traffic
• Displacement in asphalt surface layer
• Not compacted properly
About ABC Paving and Sealcoating
With more than 20 years of experience, ABC Paving and Sealcoating is Florida’s leading paving contractor. ABC Paving and Sealcoating provides commercial organizations with the highest level of customer service, professional workmanship and services including: asphalt paving, asphalt repairs and prevention, pothole repairs, sealcoating, line striping and pavement marking, thermoplastic, crack filing, signs and safety devices, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs, site preparation and signs and safety devices. We use our experience and the latest equipment available to get the job done right the first time in a timely, cost effective manner. For more information about ABC Paving and Sealcoating, visit our website at https://pavingandsealcoating.com or call866-934-7623 for a free estimate.
