Learning Center

Pavement Lifecycle

Base Weakening

As cracks develop, surface water is allowed to flow through the cracks and onto the base structure below the asphalt. Moisture within the base structure significantly reduces its load-bearing strength. The reduced load-bearing capability requires the asphalt to bear more of the stress of the traffic. Since the asphalt has become more brittle it is much more susceptible to a phenomenon referred to as fatigue, which ultimately results in more extensive cracking and ultimately failure.