MODULE 2-2
Pavement Distress
and Drainage
Surveys
Learning Objectives
• Describe the reasons for conducting
pavement distress and drainage surveys
• List the 3 factors needed to characterize
pavement distress
• Identify the various HMA distresses and
their probable causes
• Describe the key components of a manual
distress survey and a drainage survey
• Describe ways of analyzing and presenting
distress survey results
Purposes of Distress Survey
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Document pavement condition
Identify types of distress
Group areas of similar performance
Gain insight into causes of deterioration
Identify additional testing needs
Identify possible rehabilitation treatments
Identify repair areas and quantities
First step in pavement
evaluation process
Purposes of Drainage Survey
• Identify moisture-related distress
• Document drainage conditions of
pavement
• Assess condition and effectiveness of
edge drains (if present)
Project-Level vs. NetworkLevel Surveys
• Project-level surveys
– Specific projects
– Identify deficiencies
– Identify appropriate rehabilitation
• Network-level surveys
– Selected sections or samples
– Identify projects for rehab
– Planning and allocation of funding
Pavement Distress
• Fundamental performance indicator
• Characterized by:
– Type
What?
– Severity
How Bad?
– Extent
How Much?
Distress Identification
Manual
• Standardized distress definitions
• Benefits
– More consistent calls
– Better communication within and between
highway agencies
– Improvements in any agency activity using
pavement performance information
• Degree of sophistication
– Project-Level
– Network-Level
LTPP Distress
Identification Manual
• Research-oriented
• All pavement types
• Distress definitions
– Description
– Severity levels
– How to measure
• Schematic drawings
• Photographs
• Data collection forms
Common HMA Distresses
Distress
Type
Traffic/
Load
Fatigue Cracking
Block Cracking
Trans/Long Cracking
Potholes
Patch/Patch Deter.
Rutting/Shoving
Bleeding
Weathering/Raveling
X
X
X
X
X
Climate/
Materials
X
X
X
X
Fatigue Cracking
Fatigue Cracking
Fatigue Cracking
Potholes
Transverse Cracking
Transverse Cracking
Transverse Cracking
Transverse Cracking
Transverse Cracking
Block Cracking
Rutting
Raveling
Bleeding
Pavement Distress Surveys
• Manual (project-level)
– Walking over pavement
– Pavement distresses recorded
• Automated (network-level)
– Pavement surface videotaped by
specialized vehicle at highway speeds
– Distress later interpreted in office off
of videotapes
– Commonly done for PMS
– Will trigger potential rehab projects
Manual Distress Surveys
• For project-level evaluation, manual
procedures often preferred
• Components:
– Pre-survey activities
– Initial windshield survey
– Detailed distress survey
– Photographs/videotapes
– Drainage survey
Pre-Survey Activities
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Project design and location data
Data collection forms
Distress identification manual
Information from previous surveys
Traffic control arrangements
Windshield Survey
• Assess uniformity of
distress over project
limits
• Assess overall
rideability
• Identify
sampling/testing
locations
Walking Survey
• Two-person crew
• Record and map all
pavement distress
• May need traffic
control on busy
roadways
SHRP Distress Form
Photographs/Videos
• Document condition
• Capture typical
distresses
• Communicate
pavement condition
to others
Hand-Held Computer
• Enter distress data
directly
• Data downloaded
later to PC
• Reduces data
processing time
• Eliminates
transcription errors
Drainage Surveys
• Conducted as part of manual surveys
• Goal is to determine if excess moisture
is affecting the performance of the
pavement
Components of Drainage
Surveys
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Topography and cut/fill
Pavement and shoulder slopes
Condition of ditches
Geometrics of ditches
Condition of drainage outlets or inlets
Effectiveness of edge drains
Topography and
Condition of Ditch
Condition of Outlets
Video Inspection
Evaluation of Distress
Survey Results
• Summarize distress data for project
– Cracking
– Rutting
• Prepare strip charts
– Observe performance over project
– Evaluate with other collected data
• Prepare historical performance charts
Fatigue Cracking Strip Chart
Silty Clay
High Traffic
Granular
Silty Clay
Low Traffic
Condition 1 Condition 2 Condition 3
FC
(%)
Severity
Low
Medium
High
Distance Along Project
Fatigue Cracking, % Area
Performance Trends
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
1985
1990
1995
Year
2000
Drainage Evaluation
• Presence of moisture-related distresses
• Condition of ditches and outlets
• Evaluation of drainage times
– Time that pavement is saturated
– Less than 10 hours to 85% saturation
is desired
– Manual calculations or DRIP
computer program
Review
• What are the purposes of conducting
pavement distress and drainage surveys?
• What three factors are needed to
characterize pavement distress?
• What are some of the key components of
a manual distress survey and a drainage
survey?
Key References
• Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP).
1993. Distress Identification Manual for the
Long-Term Pavement Performance Project.
SHRP-P-338. Strategic Highway Research
Program, Washington, DC.
• Gramling, W. L. 1994. Current Practices in
Determining Pavement Condition. NCHRP
Synthesis of Highway Practice 203.
Transportation Research Board, Washington,
DC.