Road Drainage 1

[lgreben]

The asphalt in the middle of a reverse crown road (center drains)wears out and develops potholes (erosion?) in too short time. Is there a solution or road modification to help this problem?

 

[ACtrafficengr]

Sounds like poor joint quality. Are you using a butt joint or a notched wedge joint? The latter reportedly acheives better compaction in the joint area.

To deal with the existing problem, a proactive pavement management program is probably your best bet, sealing cracks as they occur, before water can enter and create potholes.

Considering the timing of your post, can I assume that this is a freeze-thaw problem?

"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928

"I'm searching for the questions, so my answers will make sense." - Stephen Brust

 

[lgreben]

It Isn't a freeze thaw problem (we're in Central Florida).
Since the land is relatively flat, and the roads have a reverse crown, the water tends to collect in small pools at the roads center. Traffic passing through these wet spots evventually causes pot holes. The comment re how the lanes come together may be pointing to an additional cause. We're looking for some relatively inexpensive way to improve this situation.

 

[CSLufkin]

Is there any obvious bottlenecks in your drainage system? If you can narrow the cause down to the puddling water, I would look into improving drainage. Ensure proper maintainance has been performed. If it can be verified, then you may be forced to increase the capacity of the system.

 

[wnwniner]

Roads that remain wet will delaminate quicker than roads that dry (I see this under larger trees where the pavement is in shade and dries out slower); this delamination leeds to potholes. Improving the drainage will help, as will the better joint.

 

[lgreben]

Thaks to all who replied. these tips helped point us in the direction we may take. That is:

1 - Dig a 2' x 6" deep trench in the center
2 - Line the trench with a rubber liner
3 - Add 4" of gravel
4 - Close the top with 2" of Flexi-Pave (an extremely porous sphalt substute).

This should effectively be a scupper leading to the center drains, and keeping tne roads dry.

Any comments, please post
Thanks