What Is A Corrugation In Pavement? Causes Of Corrugations in Pavement

What Is A Corrugation In Pavement?

A corrugation in pavement is an irregular wavy pattern that forms on the surface of asphalt or concrete roads. It is caused by several factors such as poor drainage, heavy traffic, and improper construction methods.

Corrugations can range from small bumps to deep ruts that make driving difficult and uncomfortable. In addition to creating a rough ride for drivers, corrugations can also damage tires and cause premature wear on suspension components of vehicles.

To prevent corrugation formation, proper maintenance and upkeep of roads are necessary to ensure they remain safe and smooth for drivers.

 Causes Of Corrugations in Pavement

There are several causes of corrugation in flexible pavements. One cause is weak subgrade conditions, which occur when the soil that supports the pavement is made up of highly plastic clays or organic soil, or when there is a high water table near the subgrade.

Improper rolling or inadequate compaction during construction can also lead to corrugations, as can poor mixing of the surface course material.

Temperature can also be a factor, as high temperatures during mixing and rolling can reduce the stability of the surface course and cause corrugations to form.

Lastly, weak bottom layers, such as the binder course, base course, or sub-base course, can contribute to the formation of corrugations if they are poorly compacted or defectively graded.

Effects Of Corrugations On Long-Term Pavement Performance

Corrugations, or ripples, are formed in pavements as a result of repeated traffic loading and/or insufficient pavement thickness. Over time, these ripples can have negative effects on the pavement’s performance.

Corrugations can cause accelerated pavement distress and reduce the amount of area available for water to drain off the road surface. This can lead to increased hydroplaning risks for motorists, as well as increased pooling of water on the roadway which is known to damage pavements over time. Additionally, corrugations reduce tire-pavement friction which results in more skidding incidents that could result in property damage or injury.

In order ensure proper long-term performance, it is important to address corrugations before they become an issue by properly designing and constructing roads with appropriate pavement thicknesses.

Mitigation Strategies For Corrugated Pavements

To fix corrugation in flexible pavements, the following steps can be taken:

• Stabilize the subgrade soil with a suitable stabilizing agent, such as lime, cement, or chemical admixtures, if the subgrade soil is poor.
• Remove and reconstruct any inadequately compacted layers, ensuring proper compaction.
• Implement a sub-surface drainage system to lower the water table.
• If the failure is caused by poor mixing of the surface course, lay another layer with proper mixing.