Rutting in flexible pavement is creation of a depression or a groove. It is typically shown as wheel path engraved on the road surface. The main cause of rutting failure is the deformation of the asphalt concrete under the loading from vehicles. In cold climate areas, rutting happens as snow studded tires travel in a path creating a groove on the surface.
Rutting in road is a common problem. Despite its obvious dangers, it can be repaired to avoid further damage. It is also possible to repair rutted roads by enhancing subbase. If the rutted road is paved with asphalt, it can be resurfaced without sacrificing its structural integrity. However, while a patched road is an improvement, it is not an easy process.
Rutting meaning in civil engineering
The term rutting of aspahlt is used in civil engineering to express permanent deformation or consolidation that accumulates in asphalt pavements overtime. You can visualize the shape or rutting by comparing a vehicle moving on dirt road. It leaves its path along travel of wheels. Anyhow, rutting failure in flexible pavement is not because of the vehicles on the road. Instead, it happens because of structural incompetence.
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Causes of rutting asphalt and its prevention
Rutting is not just an annoyance for the road users but can also cause safety concerns. So, it is important to learn the causes of rutting on roads.
There’re three main causes of rutting in asphalt:
- Problems in asphalt concrete layer
- Problem in structural layer
- Weak subgrade foundation
Anyhow, rutting is more possible on roads that lack compaction, have insufficient thickness of layers, and has weak asphalt mixtures. So, IDOT requires pavement designers to construct asphalt roads as per the specifications to prevent rutting and other road distresses. The specification also deals with the quality of execution of work. It regulates the way of asphalt rolling, the thickness of the base, the amount of aggregate in the hot-mix asphalt (HMA).
Seasonal changes
Sometimes the rutting happens as a result of seasonal changes. During summers, the flexible asphalt road starts losing binder content. The asphaltic binder begins to stick to the bottom of the tyres disturbing the matrix. This allows the aggregate and binder in asphalt to move sideways. Some studies suggest that if rutting is a problem, stabilization is necessary. But, even if stabilization is successful, it may not be enough to prevent reoccurrences.
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Improper compaction
Another cause of rutting on flexible pavement is improper compaction. The use of bad quality and non-saturated material in the pavement structure doesn’t perform well under loading. If during construction, the compaction has not been achieved as per specification requirement the subgrade may settle resulting in ruts.
Therefore, in road construction, engineers always recommend evaluation of compaction with Field Density Tests (FDT). Quality inspectors use different methods of FDT to check the degree of compaction. They compare the on-site inspection with the maximum dry density (MDD) done in laboratory by Proctor Tests.
So, if the material is not stiff it would be unable to spread the load better. So, if the subgrade is unstable, rutting will occur.
Improper thickness of base material
IDOT specifications require adequate thickness of the subbase material. A road is more prone to rutting if the subbase thickness is not adequate or the compaction is not proper. A soft subbase allows the material to be depressed under loading.
Improper mix design
Poor mix also results in rutting of asphalt roads. A mix that lacks internal strength can’t resist permanent deforming under the loading of vehicles. But rutting doesn’t normally happen at once under the load. It takes place when number of vehicles repeatedly moves over the effected or weak patch. Such a mix, pushes along the sides of the tire upon loading.
For such, engineers recommend use of more aggregate – particularly fine aggregates. Once added, they can increase the friction among the asphalt matrix resulting in high quality bond. You can also use angular aggregates to prevent rutting.
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Excessive amounts of asphalt
The use of excess asphalt in the mix design can also results in rutting. Therefore, it is important to strictly follow the mix design during the preparation of asphaltic concrete in the asphalt plant. Also proper rolling of the asphalt helps in high quality coating of the aggregate enhancing the bond.
Use of stiff asphalt binder
For roads in areas of high temperatures, designers recommend use of stiffer asphalt binders. You need to select the asphalt binder based on the grade performance during mix design process. You can pick the binder while correlating the temperature requirements to access the performance in the particular temperature. If you’d use inefficient grade of binder, the asphalt pavement is likely to rut.
Types of rutting
Depending on the cause of rutting, we can classify the issue in three different categories. The division in different types will help us in understanding the root cause and the probable remedy.
- Mix design rutting – This type of rutting occurs when the subgrade is intact yet the pavement shows grooves and wheel path. The depressions and the rutting is a result of improper mix design. The symptoms of mix rutting include raised elevation on the edges of the wheel path.
- Subgrade rutting – Subgrade not only give a sturdy support to the flexible pavement but also prevents distresses like rutting. If the subgrade doesn’t undergo proper compaction, it can settle under repeated loading resulting into ruts. Subgrade rutting shows a distinctive cracked asphalt surface. The cracks allow the pavement to flex into the subgrade rut.
- Densification – This rutting results in improper compaction of the top asphaltic base or wearing course. As there was a room for compaction, the asphalt continues to compact under traffic loading. Densification usually happens on brand new paved surfaces.
Impact of rutting on roads
- Rutting not only creates hazardous condition on roads but can also compromise the entire structure. As a result of depressions and grooves; water can find a way to stay in those depressions resulting in hydroplaning.
- Rutting can cause drivers to stumble along the road shoulders and there are increase chances of vehicular collisions.
- Replacing roads that have ruts poses a serious financial setback to the department or the company. Sometimes you also have to replace subbase along with the sections of the road having ruts. In case the engineer only replaces the top wearing surface, the subbase will again damage the newly paved road.
- Problems like rutting, potholes or cracking when combined can result in substantial maintenance costs.
How to repair rutting in pavement
There are several ways to prevent rutting on roads. One method involves improving the structural layer thickness or reducing the stresses on the surface. The other method involves increasing the thickness of the subgrade.
However, the best method to reduce chances of rutting occurrence is by strong and stiffer subbase. The subbase plays an important role in the road system supporting the road structure. Therefore, civil engineers should strictly follow procedure of IDOT for design and construction process.
If the rutting is local and confined, it can be ignored. But if rutting is heavy, you must investigate the root cause of pavement failure. For deeper ruts, you can level or overlay the patch.
The bottom line
While so many cause of rutting, it can still be prevented with good construction practices and avoiding settlement. Even though we have got innovative compaction technology at hand, rutting is still a challenge for transportation engineers. Therefore, it is a dire need to improve industry standards and ensure quality control.
In addition to rutting, pavements may be susceptible to other types of wear and tear. For example, gravel roads are susceptible to gravel loss. In addition, road surface cracks can reduce the life of the road, which increases maintenance costs. Consequently, rutting on roads can also lead to permanent deformation. Further, it can lead to uneven pavements. But, in most cases, a simple patch can prevent the damage, while a new one may be necessary.
