Different types of pavement failure include: rutting, corrugation and shoving, upheaval/swelling and patch failures.
Rutting is when the pavement becomes uneven and creates either a shallow or deep conduit in the asphalt. Ruts retain water, which further erodes your asphalt over time. It’s usually worse in high-traffic areas with an overabundance of inclement weather patterns. The width of the rut is a good indication of whether it’s a surface or underground problem. Narrow ruts mean it’s a surface failure and can easily be repaired with pavement treatments. Wide ruts indicate the problem lies deeper below the surface and the asphalt might need to be shimmed. For more serious damages, complete reconstruction and overhaul may be necessary.
Corrugation and Shoving
Corrugation and shoving are very similar; the former is a formation of ripples in the asphalt that resembles ripples on a washboard while the latter has a wavier appearance. They’re usually caused by a combination of poor subgrade amalgamation, layering, and heavy traffic. Minor damages can be treated with an easy patch job while severe disrepairs need a manual overlay.
Upheaval/Swelling
Upheaval or swelling happens when a localized part of the asphalt bubbles up as a result of external forces like frost or extreme moisture causing the aggregate to expand and oxidize. The only repair method is to completely remove the affected area and refill it with a superior asphalt mixture.
