Asphalt is one of the most common materials used in paving roads, driveways, and parking lots. But no matter how carefully asphalt pavement is installed, cracks eventually appear. Cracking in asphalt pavement can be frustrating for property owners because what starts as small cracks often expands into major types of damage like potholes in asphalt, block cracking, or even complete asphalt failure.
How harder asphalt creates cracking?
This article explains the 7 types of asphalt cracking, the common causes of asphalt damage, and the way to fix cracked pavement. By learning the causes of asphalt cracking and the solutions for asphalt repair, property owners can extend the life of their asphalt surfaces through proper installation, cleaning, repair, and maintenance.
Why Does Asphalt Crack?
Asphalt cracking can be caused by a range of stress factors. The most common causes include traffic load, poor drainage, shrinkage of the asphalt binder, and changes in temperature. Over time, the pavement surface becomes less flexible, leading to cracked asphalt that requires repair.
When cracking occurs, it isn’t just cosmetic. Cracks in asphalt allow water to seep into the underlying pavement structure. Once moisture enters, it weakens the pavement strength, eventually creating potholes in asphalt and other pavement distress conditions.
What Are the Common Causes of Asphalt Damage?
Understanding the common causes of asphalt helps in planning asphalt maintenance and timely crack repair:
- Traffic load: Heavy vehicles cause fatigue cracks, especially on asphalt driveways and parking lots.
- Thermal stress: Low temperature thermal cracking occurs when asphalt binder contracts due to asphalt shrinkage.
- Drainage issues: Poor drainage creates depressions in the pavement surface that penetrate the asphalt layer.
- Poor construction: A low-strength or deficient asphalt mix during pavement construction can lead to early pavement distress.
- Aging: Asphalt binder oxidizes over time, causing hard asphalt that breaks apart.
These specific causes explain why cracking happens and why regular pavement maintenance is necessary.
Longitudinal Cracking in Asphalt Pavement
Longitudinal cracking runs parallel to the centerline of the pavement. These cracks are often linked to traffic load, shrinkage of the asphalt, or poor bonding between the surface of the pavement and underlying pavement layers.
Edge cracks are longitudinal cracks too, often appearing near the edge of the pavement where there is less structural support. Without asphalt repair, longitudinal cracking becomes severe and eventually leads to interconnected cracks that spread across the pavement section.
Transverse Cracking – Perpendicular to the Centerline
Transverse cracking runs perpendicular to the centerline of the pavement. This type of cracking in asphalt pavement is mainly caused by temperature cycles, where the asphalt binder contracts and expands.
Low temperature thermal cracking is especially common in colder climates, but even in warmer regions, shrinkage of the asphalt binder to contract can cause cracks to form. These small cracks can quickly become major types of pavement distress if left unrepaired.
Block Cracking – Signs of Hard Asphalt
Block cracking is one of the easiest types of cracking to recognize. It creates square or rectangular cracked pavement blocks, usually due to hard asphalt with insufficient flexibility.
This cracking is caused when the asphalt binder becomes brittle, either due to aging or low-quality asphalt grade. Block cracking is a clear sign of failures in the asphalt surface, and it often requires removing the damaged pavement or overlay installation.
Alligator Cracking – Fatigue Crack Failure
Alligator cracking, also called fatigue crack failure, forms interconnected cracks that resemble alligator scales. This occurs when repeated traffic load weakens the pavement structure and pavement thickness.
When interconnected cracks create chunks of pavement that loosen, the pavement chunk is dislodged and potholes in asphalt form. To prevent alligator cracking, proper asphalt paving techniques, quality asphalt mix, and regular asphalt maintenance are required.
Reflection Cracking – Cracks in Existing Pavement
Reflection cracking happens when cracks from existing pavement or cracked or jointed slabs reflect upward through a new asphalt layer. This is common when a pavement layer with an overlay is added without addressing the underlying pavement distress.
To fix reflection cracking, contractors often have to remove and replace the cracked sections or pave with better asphalt repair methods. Without treatment, cracks in asphalt allow water into the surrounding pavement, leading to further asphalt failure.
Edge Cracking – Weak Pavement Edge
Edge cracking is a common problem along the feet of the outer edge of the pavement. These cracks typically form because of insufficient support at the pavement edge, drainage problems, or heavy traffic.
Since edge cracks are longitudinal cracks, they can expand quickly. Asphalt repair for this type usually involves crack sealing or, in severe cases, remove and replace the cracked sections.
Asphalt Depressions and Pavement Distress
Asphalt depressions are bowl-shaped depressions in the pavement that cause water pooling. These depressions in asphalt weaken the surrounding pavement and lead to pavement distress.
Depressions in the pavement surface that penetrate the asphalt binder layer require more than surface-level repair. Contractors may need to pave over with an overlay or remove the damaged pavement entirely.
How Do Potholes in Asphalt Form?
Potholes in asphalt are one of the most visible failures in the asphalt. They form when cracks allow water into the pavement structure, weakening it until chunks of pavement break away. Once a pavement chunk is dislodged, a pothole appears.
Pothole repair involves removing the damaged pavement, cleaning the area, and installing quality asphalt to restore the pavement surface. Without repair, potholes in asphalt cause vehicle damage and safety hazards.
Preventing Cracking in Asphalt Pavement
While cracking happens in all asphalt pavement over time, prevention can extend pavement life. Asphalt maintenance steps include:
- Crack sealing: Sealing small cracks early prevents water infiltration and raveling of the crack edges.
- Sealcoating: Protects asphalt surface from UV rays and slows oxidation.
- Drainage improvement: Ensures water does not pool on the surface of the pavement.
- Asphalt maintenance cleaning: Keeps debris out of cracks and prevents further penetration.
- Professional asphalt installation: Quality asphalt paving ensures pavement strength and reduces failures in the asphalt.
Repair and Crack Repair Solutions
When cracking becomes severe, different asphalt repair methods can be applied:
- Overlay installation: A pavement layer with an overlay restores strength when the base is intact.
- Crack repair and sealing: For small cracks in asphalt, sealing is the best way to fix and prevent spread.
- Remove and replace the cracked sections: When failures are advanced, contractors must asphalt and replace.
- Full-depth reclamation: Needed when the entire pavement section is damaged.
Each repair method depends on pavement thickness, pavement construction, and the severity of cracking.
Conclusion – Way to Fix Cracked Asphalt
Asphalt cracking is inevitable, but knowing the 7 types of asphalt cracking and their causes allows property owners to plan proper asphalt maintenance. Whether it’s block cracking, longitudinal cracking, or potholes in asphalt, repair solutions exist.
By addressing cracks early with cleaning, sealing, and drainage improvements, property owners prevent asphalt failure. When cracking becomes severe, professional asphalt repair such as overlay installation or full replacement ensures long-lasting results.
