Pavement System and Road Construction Characteristics
The damage causes and deterioration factors of road construction systems listed so far are general for all types of road construction systems, regardless of their system, structure, and type of road surface. However, there are specific failures and damages characteristic of certain road construction systems and road surfaces that we will briefly present.
Asphalt Pavement System Characteristics
For road construction systems with asphalt surfaces, characteristic damages occur due to incorrectly selected aggregate gradation for mixtures, incorrectly chosen binders, unsuitable asphalt mixtures, poor installation, and insufficient bearing capacity of the road construction system.
In chapters dedicated to the preparation and installation of asphalt mixtures for modern road construction, precise conditions that must be met to achieve desired quality are specified, depending on the type of layer and its purpose – position – in the road construction system, road classification, and traffic loading.
Concrete Pavement System Characteristics
For road construction systems with concrete surfaces, characteristic damages occur due to poorly selected and inadequately proportioned mineral aggregates, unsuitable cement or poorly chosen water-cement ratio, as well as errors in mixture composition, installation, and maintenance of the finished surface, or due to insufficient or unprofessional maintenance.
In chapters dedicated to the preparation of concrete mixtures for modern road construction systems, precise conditions that must be met to achieve desired quality are specified, depending on the type of layer and its purpose – position – in the road construction system, road classification, and traffic loading, then installation methods and conditions for achieving characteristics of smoothness, roughness, water impermeability, wear resistance, and resistance to temperature changes and climatic influences.
Consequences of Non-Compliance with Quality Standards
Failure to meet the specified conditions causes various types of failures and damages that reduce – to a lesser or greater extent – traffic safety, driving comfort, and the lifespan of the road construction system.
Specific Concrete Pavement Damage Types
Rapid Surface Deterioration
Rapid wear, polishing, scaling, opening, or surface exposure occurs if unsuitable mineral aggregate is used for concrete road surfaces (low compressive strength and insufficient resistance to wear, mechanical impacts, water and frost action, irregular grain shape, and inappropriate aggregate gradation – excess or lack of fine fractions, or coarse-grained mixture), insufficient compaction of the finished surface, or excessive vibration – compaction – causing finer fractions – mortar – to rise to the surface, which traffic then easily removes due to lower resistance to wear and abrasion, creating an open surface without fine fractions.
Cement-Related Problems
Using unsuitable cement in mixture preparation (unsuitable pozzolanic properties, high grinding fineness, inappropriate water-cement ratio, high binding speed, or cements with low tensile strength), as well as omitting means for improving concrete quality (air-entraining agents, etc.) leads to excessive stresses in the finished road during cement binding and concrete hardening, particularly during significant temperature changes, and consequently to various damages (different deformations of the road surface in longitudinal and transverse profiles caused by water penetration through joints or openings in the surface to underlying layers and subgrade, as well as the appearance of wheel tracks, surface exposure, and impact holes due to material removal from the wearing course by vehicle wheels during dry weather or excess water, and erosion due to unresolved drainage, irregular maintenance, or inadequacy of the road surface for traffic on the road).
Stone Block Pavement Characteristics
In addition to the mentioned causes, numerous damages occur on stone block pavements (applies to a greater or lesser extent to all types of cobblestone or stone substrates) due to the use of low-quality materials or materials of inconsistent quality (stone of insufficient compressive strength or insufficiently resistant to impact, wear, frost action, etc.), due to insufficiently prepared subgrade (unclean sand of inappropriate gradation, inconsistent or inappropriate layer thickness, etc.), due to improperly executed or unfilled joints or unsuitable materials for their filling or sealing, due to poor connection of the road with edge strips or curbs and their instability – so that the road separates and its width increases, due to untimely maintenance, as well as other causes characteristic of this type of road surface.
Specialized Pavement Applications
High-Stress Area Damage
Special types of damage appear on road surfaces or areas exposed to specific traffic effects (inner sides of sharp curves with greater transverse slopes, uphill road sections, parking areas, stopping lanes for heavy vehicles, road surfaces near gas stations, etc.).
Specialized Surface Treatments
For such surfaces, as well as surfaces where oil, lubricant, and petroleum derivative leakage is possible, it is necessary to construct concrete roads, stone block roads with joint sealing, or asphalt roads specially protected with appropriate preparations (Gild-bind, Storojet, etc.) or epoxies.
Material Quality Requirements
Aggregate Selection Criteria
The selection of appropriate mineral aggregates is crucial for all pavement types. Aggregates must meet specific requirements for compressive strength, wear resistance, frost resistance, and proper gradation. Inappropriate aggregate selection leads to premature pavement deterioration and reduced service life.
Binder and Cement Specifications
For asphalt pavements, binder selection must consider traffic loads, climate conditions, and expected service life. For concrete pavements, cement type and water-cement ratio significantly impact long-term performance and resistance to environmental factors.
Installation and Compaction Requirements
Proper Installation Techniques
Installation methods must ensure proper compaction, layer thickness, and surface characteristics. Insufficient compaction or excessive vibration can cause material segregation and surface defects that accelerate pavement deterioration.
Quality Control Measures
Regular quality control during installation is essential for achieving desired pavement characteristics. This includes monitoring compaction levels, layer thickness, and surface smoothness to ensure long-term performance.
Maintenance and Preservation Strategies
Preventive Maintenance Programs
Implementing regular maintenance programs helps prevent minor issues from developing into major problems. This includes timely repairs, proper drainage maintenance, and appropriate surface treatments based on pavement type and condition.
Specialized Treatment Applications
For high-stress areas and surfaces exposed to specific environmental conditions, specialized treatments such as epoxy coatings, joint sealing, and protective preparations are essential for maintaining pavement integrity and extending service life.
Conclusion
Understanding pavement system characteristics is fundamental to successful road construction and maintenance. Each pavement type has specific requirements and failure modes that must be addressed during design, construction, and maintenance phases. By following proper material selection, installation techniques, and maintenance procedures, engineers and contractors can ensure optimal pavement performance and extended service life while maintaining safety and comfort for road users.