EVALUATION OF PAVEMENT SURFACE CONDITION

Pavement

surface condition may be evaluated by unevenness in case of flexible pavements. In case of rigid pavement, it is evaluated by cracks & faulty joints. The reason for unevenness are 1) Rutting 2) Corrugations 3) Ravelling 4) Cracking 5) Patching

Rutting

Surface depression in the wheel path. Pavement uplift (shearing) may occur along the sides of the rut. Ruts are particularly evident after a rain when they are filled with water. Possible Causes:
1. Insufficient compaction of HMA layers during construction. 2. Improper mix design or manufacture .

Corrugations
A form of plastic movement typified by ripples (corrugation) or an abrupt wave (shoving) across the pavement surface. The distortion is perpendicular to the traffic direction. Usually occurs at points where traffic starts and stops (corrugation) or areas where HMA abuts a rigid object (shoving). Possible Causes: 1. Usually caused by traffic action (starting and stopping). 2. Excessive moisture in the sub grade.

Ravelling
The progressive disintegration of an HMA layer from the surface downward as a result of the dislodgement of aggregate particles. Possible Causes: 1. Loss of bond between aggregate particles and the asphalt binder. 2. Aggregate Segregation. 3. Inadequate compaction during construction.

Cracking
It occurs due to the relative movement of pavement layer materials, by the repeated application of heavy wheel loads resulting in fatigue failure. Possible Causes: 1. Poor joint construction. 2. A reflective crack from an underlying layer .

Patching
An area of pavement that has been replaced with new material to repair the existing pavement. A patch is considered a defect no matter how well it performs. Possible Causes: 1. Previous localized pavement deterioration that has been removed and patched. 2. Utility cuts.

Pavement unevenness

Important methods adopted to evaluate surface conditions are 1)Unevenness index 2)Pavement serviceability index (PSI) 3)Present serviceability rating(PSR)

Unevenness index
Unevenness of a road surface is a major detriment to safety &efficiency of travel. An equipment capable of integrating the unevenness of the pavement surface in (cm/km)length of road may be called bump integrator. The pavement unevenness is equated to the riding quality by the given table

Unevenness index in old pavements Below 95 95to119 20to144 145to240 Above240

Riding quality Excellent Good Fair Poor(possible resurfacing) Very poor(resurfacing required)

In New pavement Below 120 120to145 Above 145

Good Fair (acceptable) Poor(not acceptable)

Pavement serviceability index

This concept was introduced by American Association of State Highway Officials(AASHO). In this concept, the serviceability of the pavement is judged by a panel of experts ,by riding over the pavement. The experts are sensitive to the perception and wishes of the users.

Present serviceability rating

This is the mean opinion of the members of the rating panel. This rating is correlated to physical measurements such as longitudinal transverse profile of the pavement. Mathematical models are evolved which are compared with the physical measurements to predict the serviceability rating.

Structural Evaluation
Deflection Method: A quality pavement elastically deforms under wheel load application & there is an elastic rebound deflection of the deformed pavement surface.