DAB37003 A Guide To Visual Assessement of Flexible Pavement Surface Conditions

FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
A Guide To The Visual Assessement

Of Flexible Pavement Surface Conditions
A GUIDE TO VISUAL ASSESSMENT OF

FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT SURFACE CONDITIONS
FOREWORD
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In Malaysia as well as in most other countries

in the world, the road network remains the predominant mode of transportation facility. To
ensure its continued efficiency and accessibility, the road network has to be maintained to a
high standard. Research work carried out at
Institut Kerja Raya Malaysia (IKRAM) has
enable Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) Malaysia to
understand and develop improved techniques
for the maintenance of the road network.
This guide is prepared by the Pavement

Research Unit (Head: Ir Mohamed Shafii
Mustafa). The authors of this guideline are Ir
Koid Teng Hye, Ir Mohamed Shafii Mustafa,
Mohd Sabri Hasim, Abd. Mutalif K. A. Abd.
Hameed and Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Malek. The
document forms part of a series of guidelines
on the design, construction and maintenance of
flexible pavements which the Pavement
Research Unit produces as part of their studies.
It is the aspiration of JKR to be able to share

this knowledge with those that are involved in
road building and maintenance activities. It is
therefore my pleasure to introduce this first edition of A Guide to Visual Assessment of
Flexible Pavement Surface Conditions.
The guide was reviewed by a Committee headed by the Director of IKRAM, Ir Ng Chong
Yuen. Other members of the Committee were
This guide, which is the first part of a series of

guidelines on road maintenance techniques has
a two fold purpose. Firstly, it is to encourage
the usage of common nomenclature for the various pavement conditions and secondly it hopes
to promote more effective maintenance works
with the indication of the possible causes of
each different type of pavement distress and
their probable treatments.
Ir. Aik Siaw Kong

- Road Maintenance, Roads Branch
It is my hope that this guideline will be of help

to all who are involved in road maintenance
activities and contribute significantly towards
better maintenance techniques.
Ir. Han Joke Kwang

- IKRAM
Ir. Tai Meu Choi

- Road Maintenance, Roads Branch
Ir. Zainol Rashid Zainuddin
- Road Maintenance, Roads Branch;
Ir. Lee Swee Kee
- Road Design, Roads Branch.
The authors thank the Director General of
Public Works Malaysia for his permission to
publish the guideline.
(Tan Sri Dato' Ir. Wan A. Rahman Yaacob)

Director General of Public Works
Jabatan Kerja Raya Malaysia
Cawangan Jalan, Ibu Pejabat JKR, K.L
Page 1
A Guide To The Visual Assessment

Of Flexible Pavement Surface Conditions.
CONTENTS
Page
FOREWORD
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
1.0. INTRODUCTION
CATALOGUE OF DISTRESSES
IN BITUMINOUS SURFACES
2.0. PAVEMENT CRACKS
2.1.
2.2.
2.3.
2.4.
2.5.
2.6.
4
5
6
7
8
9
Crocodile
Block
Longitudinal
Transverse
Edge
Crescent Shaped
3.0. SURFACE DEFORMATIONS 10

3.1.
3.2.
3.3.
3.4.
Rutting
Corrugation
Depression
Shoving
11
12
13
14
4.0
SURFACE DEFECTS
15
4.1.
4.2.
4.3.
4.4.
Bleeding
Ravelling
Polishing
Delamination
16
17
18
19
5.0. PATCH
used in one form or another by most road

departments and/or highway authorities as a
measure of the ability of the pavement to continue to provide the required service to the public. More importantly, it is used in determining
deficiencies and inadequacies of pavements,
the remedial measures to be taken, its fiscal
needs, planning and programming of pavement
maintenance and/or rehabilitation.
This guide is for the assessment of flexible
road pavements only. Concrete pavements and
unpaved roads are not covered by this guide.
The aims of this guide are :i)
To provide a uniform nomenclature for

the description of visible pavement
distresses.
ii) to provide a comprehensive catalogue of

the major visible distress types.
iii) To promote the usage of distress
recognition as an aid to the diagnosis of
pavement deficiencies.
Pavement distresses are categorized and quantified. Illustrations of each category are provided
to lend uniformity to reporting and interpretation. Description of the severity of the particular distress is made to conform with standard
words that express the relative severity on a
low, moderate or high scale.
20
The following data are also provided for each
distress type :-
6.0. POTHOLE
21
7.0. EDGE DEFECTS
22
i) Common synonym(s).
7.1.
7.2.
22
23
ii) Description of the essential features of

the distress.
GLOSSARY
24
iii) Photographs of typical examples.
REFERENCES
25
iv) List of probable or most likely causes.
Edge Break
Edge Drop Off
1.0. INTRODUCTION
v) List of probable treatments.
Assessment of pavement surface conditions is

Page 2
CATALOGUE OF DISTRESSES IN
FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS
Manifestation of Distresses in flexible pavements can be categorized into one of the following types :
a) Cracks

i) Depression.
ii) Fatigue life of the surfacing being
exceeded.
iii) Age embrittlement of the surfacing.
iv) Reflection of cracks in underlying
layers.
b) Surface deformations
v) Shrinkage.
c) Surface defects
vi) Poor construction joints.
d) Patches
e) Potholes
f) Eedge defects
This section includes the following types of

cracks:
i) Crocodile cracks.
ii) Block cracks.
2.0. PAVEMENT CRACKS

iii) Longitudinal cracks.
Cracks are fissures resulting from partial or
complete fractures of the pavement surface.
Cracking of road pavement surfaces can happen in a wide variety of patterns, ranging from
isolated single crack to an interconnected pattern extending over the entire pavement surface. The detrimental effects associated with
the presence of cracks are :
i)
iv) Transverse cracks.

v) Edge cracks.
vi) Crescent shaped cracks.
The general form of the various types of cracks
is illustrated in Fiqure 1.
Loss of water-proofing of the pavement

layers.
ii) Loss of load spreading ability of the

cracked material.
iii) Pumping and loss of fines from the
base course.
iv) Loss of riding quality through loss of
surfacing.
v) Loss of appearance.
FIGURE 1 : TYPES OF CRACK
The loss of load spreading ability and waterproofing will usually lead to accelerated deterioration of the pavement condition. The possible
causes of cracks include :
Page 3

CROCODILE CRACKS
DESCRIPTION
Crocodile cracks are interconnected or interlaced cracks which form a network of multisided blocks resembling the skin of a crocodile.
The block size can range from 100 mm to
about 300 mm.
Low severity with interconnected

hairline cracks
Crocodile cracks is a consequence of the inability of the structure to support the repeated loads
due to a "softening" of the material normally
associated with increase in moisture content.
The cracks in the subbase or subgrade tend to
spread rapidly under rain and traffic causing
blocks of surfacing to be displaced and broken
up.
SEVERITY LEVELS
Moderate severity with lightly

spalled cracks
Low
Interconnected or interlaced hairline cracks
running parallel to each other; cracks not
spalled.
Moderate
A pattern of articulated pieces formed by
cracks that may be lightly spalled. Cracks may
be sealed.
High severity with severe spalling
2.1. CROCODILE CRACKS
High
Pieces more severely spalled at edges and loosened; pieces rock under traffic; pumping may
exist.
SYNONYMS
MEASUREMENTS TO BE TAKEN
Alligator, chicken wire, fish net, polygonal,

fatigue cracks.
a) area affected.
b) predominant crack width
c) predominant cell width.
NO.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
1.
Inadequate pavement thickness
Strengthen the pavement or reconstruction
2.
Low modulus base
Strengthen the base or reconstruction
3.
Brittle base
Base recycling or reconstruction
4.
Poor base drainage
Improve the drainage and reconstruct
5.
Brittle wearing course
Replace or treat wearing course
Page 4

BLOCK CRACKS
2.2. BLOCK CRACKS

SYNONYM
Ladder cracks.
DESCRIPTION
Low severity with cracks' width < 3 mm
Block cracks are interconnected cracks forming

a series of blocks, approximately rectangular in
shape. Block sizes are usually greater than 300
mm and can exceed 3000 mm.
SEVERITY LEVELS
Low
Blocks defined by unspalled cracks with a
mean width of 3 mm or less; cracks with
sealant in good condition.
Moderate severity with cracks' width > 3 mm
Moderate
Blocks defined by moderately spalled cracks;
cracks with a mean width greater than 3 mm.
High
Blocks well defined by severely spalled cracks.
High severity with severely spalled cracks
NO.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
a) area affected.
b) predominant crack width.
c) predominant cell width.
PROBABLE TREAMENTS
Joints in underlying layer
Crushed aggregate overlay
Shrinkage and fatigue of

underlying cemented material
Replace underlying cemented materials
Shrinkage cracks (due to bitumen seal

hardening) in bituminous surfacing
Seal cracks or replace bituminous

surfacing
Fatigue cracks in embrittled bituminous

wearing course
Cut and patch or crushed aggregate

overlay
Page 5

LONGITUDINAL CRACKS
2.3. LONGITUDINAL CRACKS

SYNONYM
Line cracks
DESCRIPTION
Low severity single crack

without any spalling
Longitudinal cracks are cracks which are usually straight and parallel to the centre line, situated at or near the middle of the lane. It can happen singly or as series of almost parallel cracks
or with some limited branching.
SEVERITY LEVELS
Low
Cracks with low severity or no spalling; mean
unsealed crack width of 3 mm or less.
Moderate severity with crack's

width > 3 mm
Moderate
Cracks with moderately severe spalling; mean
unsealed crack width of greater than 3 mm;
sealant material in bad condition.
High
Cracks with high severity spalling.
High severity with multiple

spalled cracks
NO
POSSIBLE CAUSES
a) width of dominant crack.

b) length of dominant crack. c) spacing.
d) area affected.
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
reflection of shrinkage cracks
cut and patch
poorly constructed paving lane

in bituminous surfacing
replace bituminous surfacing
displacement of joints at pavement

widening
reconstruction of joints
differential settlement between cut

and fill
reconstruction
reflection of joints in the underlying crushed aggregate overlay or reconsstruction

base
of joints
Page 6

TRANSVERSE CRACKS
2.4. TRANSVERSE CRACKS

Transverse cracks are unconnected cracks running transversely (relatively perpendicular to
pavement centre line) across the pavement.
SEVERITY LEVELS
Low severity with crack's width

< 3 mm without any spalling
Low
Cracks with low severity or no spalling; mean
unsealed crack width of 3 mm or less; sealant
material in good condition.
Moderate
Cracks with moderate severity spalling; mean
unsealed crack width of greater than 3 mm;
sealant material in bad condition.
Moderate severity with

crack's width > 3 mm
High
Cracks with high severity spalling.
a)
b)
c)
d)
predominant crack width.

spacing.
length.
area affected.
High severity
with spalling
NO.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
1.
Reflection of shrinkage cracks
Cut and patch
2.
Construction joint in bituminous surfacing Ccrack sealant
3.
Structural failure of portland cement

concrete base
Rreconstruction of base
4.
Shrinkage crack in bituminous surfacing
Seal cracks or replace bituminous

surfacing
Reflection of joints in the underlying base
Crushed aggregate overlay or

reconstruction of joints
.
Page 7

EDGE CRACKS
2.5. EDGE CRACKS

DESCRIPTION
Edge cracks are crescent shaped or fairly continuous cracks, parallel to, and usually within
300 mm to 600 mm of the pavement edge. It
usually occurs when paved shoulders do not
exist.
SEVERITY LEVELS
Low severity with

no breakup or ravelling
Low
Cracks with no breakup or ravelling.
Moderate
Cracks with some breakup or ravelling.
High
Cracks with considerable breakup or ravelling
along edge.
Moderate severity with some breakup
a) predominant crack width.
b) area affected
c) length
High severity with

considerable breakup
NO.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
1.
Excessive traffic loading at

pavement edge
Widen the pavement or strengthen the

pavement edge
2.
Poor drainage at pavement edge

and shoulder
Improve drainage and shoulder
3.
Inadequate pavement width which

Widen the pavement
forces traffic too close to pavement edge
4.
Insufficient bearing support
Reconstruction
Page 8

CRESCENT SHAPED CRACKS
2.6. CRESCENT SHAPED CRACKS

SYNONYMS
Parabolic, slippage, shear cracks.
DESCRIPTION
Low severity with no breakup
This type of cracks are half moon or crescent

shaped cracks, commonly associated with
shoving, often occurring in closely spaced parallel group. It is mainly associated with bituminous layer only.
SEVERITY LEVELS
Low
Cracks with-no breakup or shoving.
Moderate severity with some breakup
Moderate
Cracks with some breakup or shoving.
High
Cracks with considerable breakup or
shoving.
a) predominant crack width.
b) area affected.
High severity with considerable

breakup and shoving
NO.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
1.
Lack of bond between wearing

course and the underlying layers
Cut and patch
2.
Low modulus base course
Reconstruction of base
3.
Thin wearing course
Bituminous overlay
4.
Dragging of paver during laying when

bituminous mix temperatures were low
Cut and patch
5.
High stresses due to braking

and acceleration movements
Bituminous overlay with stiffer mix or use

high compaction mix (HCM)
Page 9

FIGURE 2 : TYPE OF SURFACE DEFORMATION
3.0. SURFACE DEFORMATIONS

Deformation takes place when a road surface
undergoes changes from ifs original constructed profile. It may occur after construction due
to trafficking or environmental influences. In
some cases, deformation may be built into a
new pavement owing to inadequate control
during construction. It influences the riding
quality of a pavement and may reflect structural inadequacies. It may lead to cracking of the
surface layer.
The general form of the various types of surface deformation is illustrated in

Figure 2.
The major types of surface deformation covered in this section are :

i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
rutting.
corrugation.
depression.
shoving.
Page 10

RUTTING
3.1. RUTTING
SYNONYMS
Longitudinal rut.
DESCRIPTION
Low severity with rut depths < 12 mm
Rutting is longitudinal deformation or depression in the wheel paths which occur after
repeated applications of axle loading. It may
occur in one or both wheel paths of a lane. The
length to width ratio would normally be greater
than 4 to 1.
SEVERITY LEVELS
Low
Rut depths of less than 12 mm (measured
under a transverse 1.2 m straight edge)
Moderate severity with rut depths

between 12 mm to25mm
Moderate
Rut depths of between 12 mm to 25 mm (may
include slight longitudinal cracks).
High
Rut depths of greater than 25 mm (may include
multiple longitudinal or crocodile cracks).
High severity with rut depths > 25 mm

NO.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
a) maximum depth under a transverse 1.2 m

straight edge.
b) length.
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
1.
Strengthening overlay or reconstruction
2.
Inadequate compaction of
structural layers
Reconstruction
3.
Unstable bituminous mixes
Replace or recycle bituminous surfacing or

use stiffer mix/HCM
4.
unstable shoulder materials which do

not provide adequate lateral support
shoulder improvement and overlay rutted

area with bituminous surfacing
5.
Overstressed subgrade which deforms

permanently
Reconstruction
6.
Unstable granular bases or sub-bases
Base or sub-base strengthening
Page 11

CORRUGATIONS
3.2. CORRUGATIONS
SYNONYM
Rippling
DESCRIPTION
Low severity - noticeable
Corrugations are regular transverse undulations, closely spaced alternate valleys and
crests with wavelengths of less than 2 m.
Generally, it will result in a rough ride and will
become worse with time.
SEVERITY LEVELS
Low
Noticeable (based on observation of its appearance and its effect on riding quality).
Moderate
Rough ride.
Moderate severity causing rough ride
High
Very rough ride. Vehicle may lose control
because of its presence.
a) maximum depth under 1.2 m straight
edge.
b) crest to crest spacing.
c) length of pavement affected.
High severity causing very rough ride

NO.
1.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
Inadequate stability of bituminous

surface
2.
Compaction
3.
Faulty paver behaviour with some mixes
4.
5.
6.
of base in wave form
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
Replace bituminous surface
Base reconstruction
Heavy traffic on steep downgrade or

upgrade
Stopping at intersection stop lights
or roundabout
Replace the faulty mixes and correct

the faulty paver behaviour
mill off corrugated surface and replace
with stiffer mix or use HCM
Mill off corrugated surface and replace
with stiffer mix or use HCM
Inadequate stability of base course
Base reconstruction
Page 12

DEPRESSIONS
3.3. DEPRESSIONS
SYNONYM
Distortions.
DESCRIPTION
Low severity with noticeable

swaying motion
Depressions are localized areas within a pavement with elevations lower than the surrounding area. They may not be confined to wheel
paths only but may extend across several wheel
paths. Generally, it results from settlement,
slope failure, or volume changes due to moisture changes.
SEVERITY LEVELS
Moderate severity with fair

control of vehicle
Low
Noticeable swaying motion. Good control of
vehicle still present. (Based on the interaction
between vehicle and pavement surface depression).
Moderate
Fair control of vehicle when driving over pavement.
High
Poor control of vehicle when driving over
pavement with driver always having to anticipate depression ahead.
High severity with poor

control of vehicle
NO.
1.
2.
3.
4.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
differential settlement of subgrade or base
materials
settlement of services and/or widening
trenches
volume change of subgrade due to
environmental influences
settlement due to instability of
embankment
a) maximum depth under 1.2 m straight
edge.
b) area of depression.
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
subgrade or base reconstruction
reconstruction of services and/or
widening trenches
improve sub-soil drainage and
reconstruct
embankment stabilization
Page 13

SHOVINGS
3.4, SHOVINGS
DESCRIPTION
Low severity with

noticeable swaying motion
Shoving is the bulging of the road surface generally parallel to the direction of traffic and/or
horizontal displacement of surfacing materials,
mainly in the direction of traffic where braking
or acceleration movements occur, caused by
traffic pushing against the pavement.
Transverse shoving may arise with turning
movements.
SEVERITY LEVELS
Low
Noticeable. (Based on observation of its
appearance and its effect on riding quality).
Moderate
Rough ride.
Moderate severity
resulting in rough ride
High
Very rough ride. Vehicle may lose control
because of its presence.
a) maximum depth of bulge under 1.2 m
straight edge from high point.
b) area affected.
High severity resulting

in very rough ride
NO.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
Low stability mix
Lack of bond between asphalt surface and
underlying layer which may be caused by
excessive tack coat acting as lubricant
Ustable granular base reflecting through the
surface
Stop and start of vehicles at intersections or
roundabout
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
Mill off and replacehe
bituminous surfacing
Replace bituminous surfacing
with lower binder content mix
Base reconstruction
Mill off and replace with stiffer mix or
use HCM
Bituminous overlay or reconstruction
Page 14

FIGURE 3 : TYPES OF SURFACE DEFECTS
4.0. SURFACE DEFECTS

Surface defects cover loss of surfacing materials, loss of surface micro and macro textures.
While they do not usually indicate pavement
structural inadequacy, they have a significant
influence on the serviceability and safety of a
pavement, especially with regard to skid resistance, maneuverability and riding quality. Some
defects, if not corrected, may lead to subsequent loss of pavement structural integrity.
The major types of surface defects are:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
bleeding.
ravelling.
polishing.
delamination.
The general form of the various defect types is

illustrated in Figure 3.
Page 15

BLEEDING
4.1. BLEEDING
SYNONYMS
Flushing, fatting, slick, black spot.
DESCRIPTION
Low severity with visible

colouring of pavement surface
Bleeding is the presence of free bitumen binder

on the surface resulting from upward migration
of the binder, causing low texture depth and
inadequate tyre to stone contact. It is most likely to occur in the wheel paths during hot
weather.
SEVERITY LEVELS
Low
Colouring of pavement surface visible.
Moderate severity with excess

bitumen already free
Moderate
Distinctive appearance with excess bitumen
already free.
High
Free bitumen which gives the pavement surface a wet look. Tyre marks are evident.
a) area affected.
b) percentage by area of stone immersed.
High severity which gives the

pavement surface a wet look
NO.
1.
2.
3.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
Excessive application of binder with respect to the

stone size. On hot days, the binder expands into air
Apply hot sand to blot up the
voids; if volume of air voids is too low, continued
expansion results in lower stability of the mix with the excess binder
consequence that traffic will force out excess binder to
the surface.
Paving over flushed surfaces. The excess bitumen on
Apply hot sand or aggregate
the old surface may coat be pumped up through the
seal coat
new paving over a period of time
Paving over excessively primed surfaces
Apply hot sand
Page 16

RAVELLING
4.2. RAVELLING
SYNONYM
Fretting.
DESCRIPTION
Ravelling is the progressive disintegration of
the pavement surface by loss of binder or
aggregates or both.
Low severity where wearing away of the

aggregate has not progressed significantly
SEVERITY LEVELS
Low
Wearing away of the aggregate or binder has
started but has not progressed significantly.
Moderate
Aggregate and/or binder has worn away and
the surface texture is becoming rough and pitted. Loose particles generally exist.
Moderate severity with worn

away aggregate and binder
High
Aggregate and/or binder has worn away and
the surface texture is very rough and pitted.
MEASUREMENT TO BE TAKEN
a) area affected.
High severity with rough

and pitted surface
NO.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
1.
Insufficient bitumen content
Thin bituminous overlay
2.
Poor adhesion of bitumen binder to

aggregate particles due to wet aggregate
3.
Inadequate compaction or construction

fduring wet weather
4.
Deterioration of binder and/or aggregate
Page 17

POLISHING
4.3. POLISHING
DESCRIPTION
Polishing is the smoothening and rounding of
the upper surface of the roadstone, exposing
coarse aggregate which are glossy in appearance and smooth to the touch. It usually occurs
in the wheel paths.
Smoothening and rounding of the upper surface of the roadstone has started
SEVERITY LEVELS
Not applicable. However, the degree of polishing may be reflected in a reduction of skid
resistance.
MEASUREMENT TO BE TAKEN
a) area affected.
Coarse aggregate exposed
Smoothening and rounding of the roadstone

has progressed significantly
NO.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
1.
Inadequate resistance to polishing of surface

aggregates, particularly in areas of heavy
traffic movements or where high stresses are
developed between surface and tyres
Thin bituminous overlay or use of

stiffer mix or use HCM
2.
Use of naturally smooth uncrushed aggregates Thin bituminous overlay
Page 18

DELAMINATION
4.4. DELAMINATION
SYNONYMS
Peeling, surface lifting, seal break, flaking
DESCRIPTION
Low severity where peeling of

the top surface has started
Delamination is the loss of a discrete and large

(minimum 0.01 square metre) area of the wearing course. Usually there is a clear delineation
of the wearing course and the layer below.
SEVERITY LEVELS
Low
Peeling of the top layer has started but has not
progressed significantly. Surface area peeled
off is less than 0.1 m2.
Moderate severity with surface area

peeled off between 0.1 m2 and 2.5 m2
Moderate
Surface area peeled off is between 0.1 m2 to
2.5 m2. Severe crocodile cracks in and around
the peeled off area.
High
A group of more than two (2) moderate delaminations along a short stretch of road.
a) thickness of layer(s) peeled off.
b) area of individual delaminations.
c) number of delaminations.
High severity with group of delaminations
NO.
1.
2.
3.
4.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
Inadequate cleaning or inadequate t coat
obefore placement of upper layers
Seepage of water through asphalt,
especially in cracks, to break bond between
surface and lower layers
Weak, loose layer immediately underlying
seal
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
Tack mill off and re-lay upper layers
Replace wearing course or thin
bituminous overlay
Reconstruction of weak layers
Adhesion of surface binder to vehicle tyres Thin bituminous overlay
Page 19

PATCH
5.0. PATCH
DESCRIPTION
Patch with low severity distress
A patch is a repaired section of pavement

where a portion of the pavement surface has
been removed and replaced (see FIGURE 4). It
may or may not be associates) with either a
loss of serviceability (apart from a loss of
appearance) or structural capacity. The `extent
and frequency of patching can be useful indicators of the structural adequacy of the pavement.
Defects can occur within a patch or the patch
can be a further defect where it is raised or
depressed below the level of the pavement surface.
SEVERITY LEVELS
Patch with moderate severity distress
Low
Patch is in good condition or has low severity
distress of any type. Moderate
Patch has moderate severity distress of any
type.
High
Patch has high severity distress of any type.
a) area of patch at each severity level.
b) number of patches at each severity level.
Patch with high severity distress
FIGURE 4 : PATCH AND POTHOLE

Page 20

POTHOLE
6.0. POTHOLE
DESCRIPTION
Low severity with area < 0.3 m2

and depth < 25 mm
Pothole is bowl shaped cavity in the pavement

surface resulting from the loss of wearing
course and binder course materials (see FIGURE 4). They are produced when traffic
breaches small pieces of the pavement surface
allowing the entry of water. These spots disintegrate because of the weakening of the base
course or poor quality surfacing. Free water
collecting in the hole and the underlying base
accelerates its development.
SEVERITY LEVELS
a) depth of pothole.
b) area of pothole.
c) number of potholes at each severity level.
Moderate severity with depth

between 25 mm to 50 mm and area < 0.3 m2
Group of potholes with depth > 50 mm

and area > 0.1 m2
AREA (square metre)
DEPTH (mm)
< 25
25-50
< 0.1
Low
Moderate
0.1 -0.3
Low
Moderate
> 0.3
Moderate
High
> 50
Moderate
High
High
NO.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
1.
Loss of surface course
Patching
2.
Moisture entry to base course through a cracked

pavement surface
Cut and patch
3.
Load associated disintegration of base
Base reconstruction
Page 21

EDGE BREAKS
Edge break has just started
FIGURE 5 : TYPES OF EDGE DEFECTS
7.0. EDGE DEFECTS

Edge defects occur along the interface of flexible pavement and the shoulder, and are most
significant where the shoulder is unsealed. The
detrimental effects of edge defects include :
i)
Edge break with considerable breakup
reduction of pavement width.
ii) loss of quality of ride and possible loss

of control of vehicle.
iii) channelling of water at the edge of the
pavement leading to erosion of shoulder.
iv) entry of water into base.
Significant length of edge break

and surfacing loss
The defect types covered in this section are

7.1. EDGE BREAKS
i) edge break.
DESCRIPTION
ii) edge drop-off.
The general form is illustrated in Figure 5.
Edge break occurs when the edge of the bituminous surface are fretted, or broken.
SEVERITY LEVELS
Not applicable.
a) length over which break occurs.
b) maximum width of surfacing loss.
Page 22
NO
1.
POSSIBLE CAUSES

PROBABLE TREATMENTS
Inadequate pavement width

Alignment which encourages drivers
totravel on pavement edge
Widen the pavement
3.
Inadequate edge support
Shoulder strengthening
4.
Edge drop-off
5.
Loss of adhesion to base
2.
EDGE DROP-OFFS
Pavement widening and realignment
Sstrengthening and levelling of shoulder

with road surface
Cut and patch or bituminous overlay
7.2. EDGE DROP-OFFS
DESCRIPTION
Edge drop-off is the difference in elevation
between the traffic lane and outside shoulder;
typically occurs when the outside shoulder settles or erodes. It is not usually considered a
defect if the drop-off is less than 25 mm.
Slight drop-off
SEVERITY LEVEL
Not applicable. However, severity levels can be
defined in relation to the height of drop.
a) height of drop.
b) length affected.
Significant drop-off
Height of drop > 100 mm.

It is a danger to traffic
No.
1
2
3
POSSIBLE CAUSES
Inadequate pavement width
Shoulder material with inadequate
resistance to erosion and abrasion
Resurfacing of pavement without
resurfacing of shoulder
PROBABLE TREATMENTS
Widen the pavement
Replace shoulder material and reconstruct
Levelling of shoulder with road surface
Page 23

GLOSSARY
Binder
Brown or black adhesive mate rial
Bituminous overlay
A method of treat ment where the existing
pave ment surface is overlaid with bituminous
materials
Bleeding
Identified by a film of bitumi nous material on
the pavement surface that creates a shiny,
glass-like, reflective surface that nay be tacky
to the touch
Block crack
The occurrence of cracks that divide the bituminous surface into approximately rectangular
pieces, typically 0.1 m2 or more in size
Centre line
The white/yellow separating traffic travelling in
opposite direction
Construction joint
The point at which work is concluded and
reinitiated when building a pavement
Corrugation
Regular transverse undulations, closely spaced
alternate valleys and crests with wavelengths of
less than 2 m.
Crescent shaped crack
Crack which is half moon or crescent in shape,
normally associated with shoving
Crocodile crack
Interconnected or interlaced crack which form
a network of multisided blocks; the block sizes
are smaller than 300 mm.
Cut and patch
A treatment where the distressed area is excavated and patched back with bituminous materials
Delamination
Loss of a discrete and large (minimum 0.01
m2) area of the top bituminous layer
Depression
Localized area within a pavement with elevations lower than the surrounding area
Edge break
Broken or fretted pavement edge
Edge crack
Fracture along the pavement edge
Edge drop-off
The difference in elevation between the traffic
lane and the shoulder
Hairline crack
A fracture that is very narrow in width
Longitudinal
Parallel to the centre line of the pavement
Patch
An area where the pavement has been removed
and replaced with a new material
Polishing
Smoothening of the upper surface of the road
stone, exposing coarse aggregate, which are
glossy in appearance and smooth to the touch
Pothole
A bowl-shaped cavity in the pavement surface
Pumping
The ejection of water and fine materials under
pressure through cracks under moving loads
Ravelling
The wearing away of the pavement surface
caused by the loss of binder or the dislodging
of aggregate particles or both
Rutting
The occurrence of longitudinal surface depression/deformation in the wheel paths
Page 24

Shoving
Permanent, longitudinal displacement of a
localized area of the pavement surface caused
by traffic pushing against the pavement
Spalling
Breaking or cutting off small pieces from the
pavement surface
Transverse
Perpendicular to the centre line of the pavement
REFERENCES
1. A Guide to the Visual Assessment of
Pavement Condition, National
Association of Australia State Road
Authorities, 1987.
2. Distress Identification Manual for the
Long-Term Pavement Performance
Studies, SHRPLTPP/FR-90-001,
Strategic Highway Research Program,
National Research Council,
Washington, D.C. 1990.
3. Manual for Condition Rating of
Flexible Pavements - Distress
Manifestation, G.J. Chong, W.A. Phang
and G.A. Wrong; Reprinted January
1982.
4. Various Research Findings at IKRAM.
Page 25

DAB37003 A Guide To Visual Assessement of Flexible Pavement Surface Conditions

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FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

A Guide To The Visual Assessement

A GUIDE TO VISUAL ASSESSMENT OF

In Malaysia as well as in most other countries

This guide is prepared by the Pavement

It is the aspiration of JKR to be able to share

This guide, which is the first part of a series of

Ir. Aik Siaw Kong

It is my hope that this guideline will be of help

Ir. Han Joke Kwang

Ir. Tai Meu Choi

(Tan Sri Dato' Ir. Wan A. Rahman Yaacob)

Cawangan Jalan, Ibu Pejabat JKR, K.L

A Guide To The Visual Assessment

FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

2.0. PAVEMENT CRACKS

3.0. SURFACE DEFORMATIONS 10

used in one form or another by most road

To provide a uniform nomenclature for

ii) to provide a comprehensive catalogue of

7.0. EDGE DEFECTS

ii) Description of the essential features of

iii) Photographs of typical examples.

iv) List of probable or most likely causes.

v) List of probable treatments.

Assessment of pavement surface conditions is

FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

A Guide To The Visual Assessment

This section includes the following types of

2.0. PAVEMENT CRACKS

iv) Transverse cracks.

Loss of water-proofing of the pavement

ii) Loss of load spreading ability of the

FIGURE 1 : TYPES OF CRACK

Cawangan Jalan, Ibu Pejabat JKR, K.L

FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

A Guide To The Visual Assessment

Low severity with interconnected

Moderate severity with lightly

High severity with severe spalling

2.1. CROCODILE CRACKS

Alligator, chicken wire, fish net, polygonal,

Inadequate pavement thickness

Strengthen the pavement or reconstruction

Low modulus base

Strengthen the base or reconstruction

Base recycling or reconstruction

Poor base drainage

Improve the drainage and reconstruct

Brittle wearing course

Replace or treat wearing course

Cawangan Jalan, Ibu Pejabat JKR, K.L

FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

A Guide To The Visual Assessment

2.2. BLOCK CRACKS

Low severity with cracks' width < 3 mm

Block cracks are interconnected cracks forming

Moderate severity with cracks' width > 3 mm

High severity with severely spalled cracks

Joints in underlying layer

Crushed aggregate overlay

Shrinkage and fatigue of

Replace underlying cemented materials