POTHOLES: - CSIR

Figure 1: Localised ponding of water from seepage in the adjacent area during the dry season (note the presence ofhydrophilic plants near the road)stabilised materials as the cementitious stabiliserhydrates also leads to cracking (Figure 4).An underlying weakness in the support layersusually results in high surface-deflections undertraffic loading, particularly if the materialbecomes wet. Moisture may penetrate thepavement layers through incipient cracks fromabove, or build up beneath the pavement asa result of poor drainage in the area.Potholes associated with environmental and trafficcracking usually start as spalling of the asphaltadjacent to the crack, which then enlarges withtime and traffic to develop a pothole. If the cracksare sealed or the spalling is repaired in time, noFigure 2: Typical fatigue-cracking of asphalt leading to a pothole7