What Is Alligator Cracking In Asphalt Roads?
What Is Alligator Cracking In Asphalt Roads?
Alligator cracking, also known as crocodile cracking, is a type of surface failure characterized by interconnected cracks forming in asphalt pavement.
It is caused by fatigue or stabilization from the weakened subgrade beneath it and water seeping into the pavement.
Alligator cracking can be minimized through preventative maintenance such as proper compaction, draining and grading of the subgrade prior to laying the asphalt layer.
Additionally, preventive materials like tack coat and chip seal may help reduce this type of distress.
Left untreated, alligator cracking can lead to extensive damage affecting both car stability and driver safety.
What Causes Alligator Cracking In Asphalt?
Alligator cracking, also known as fatigue cracking or crocodile cracking, is a common type of asphalt distress caused by repeated traffic loading over weak areas in the pavement.
It typically begins as longitudinal cracks that form in the wheel paths near the edges of the pavement due to shrinkage and curling of the asphalt layer.
Further deterioration can include planar cracking and block cracking, which are characterized by interconnected, interlocking pieces of pavement that resemble an alligator’s skin.
These cracks generally occur when too much stress is placed on worn-out or thinning asphalt pavements.
Poor drainage and inadequate compaction during construction may also lead to alligator cracking in asphalt pavements.
How Do You Fix Alligator Cracking?
Alligator cracking, also known as fatigue cracking or crocodile cracking, is a common form of pavement distress which can be repaired using various methods.
The most effective method for repairing alligator cracking is to first address the underlying cause of the issue; such as poor drainage, inadequate compaction of subgrade layers and/or insufficient base support.
Once the underlying cause has been addressed, an asphalt patching material is used to fill up the cracks and reseal the pavement surface.
Other methods such as crack sealant, saw-cut removal and replacement, and spray applied polymer modification may also be utilized to repair alligator cracking depending on severity.
Additionally, new innovations in asphalt stabilization may further reduce instances of alligator cracking in asphalt pavements.
What Causes Alligator Cracking In Paint?
Alligator cracking in paint is caused by a combination of overexposure to UV light and inadequate surface preparation.
Overexposure to UV light can cause the paint to become brittle, which leads to the characteristic cracks resembling an alligator’s hide.
Additionally, inadequate surface preparation prior to painting such as failing to remove old paint layers or use a primer may result in insufficient bonding between the paint and underlying surface, leading to alligator cracks.
What Is Alligator Cracking In Flexible Pavement?
Alligator cracking, also known as fatigue cracking, is a type of pavement failure that resembles the scales of an alligator’s hide.
This form of distress occurs in asphalt pavement when the underlying structure fails to support the surface layer or when surface fatigue or oxidation causes the pavement to be too weak and brittle.
Alligator cracking usually appears first along edges or joints in the pavement where traffic is heaviest and can eventually spread across entire sections of a paved area if left untreated.
When this happens, it can cause drivers to experience bumpy rides and may even create hazardous driving conditions since any potholes created by alligator cracking are often difficult to spot until right before they are hit.
