Fatigue Cracks

Fatigue is one of the most common types of failure that occurs in asphalt. Fatigue often presents a cracking pattern that slightly resembles the back of an alligator or a spiderweb, which is why these cracks are often referred to as alligator cracking or spiderwebbing.

These types of failures are often the result of insufficient support in the underlying base structure due to either insufficient design and construction or water penetration that has resulted in a weakened base.

In cases where the fatigue is considered non-severe and remains relatively stable, a thin coat of crack reflection treatment can be applied followed by an asphalt overlay of the fatigued area.

In the cases where the fatigue is more severe, exhibiting larger spaces between the pieces suggesting more movement, the area should be sawcut, excavated or milled. The base structure should be repaired and the asphalt then replaced.

The overlay repair is the least costly, but tends not to last as long as the removal and replacement option.