A STUDY ON INVESTIGATION OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF CRACKING AND SHOULDER

Abstract

Flexible pavements are a crucial component of modern transportation infrastructure, providing essential connectivity and economic benefits. However, their deterioration due to cracking and shoulder distress remains a significant challenge. This study investigates the causes, patterns, and maintenance strategies for flexible pavement distress, with a focus on cracking and shoulder degradation. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, including field surveys, laboratory testing, historical data analysis, and case studies. Cracking in flexible pavements manifests in various forms, including fatigue, longitudinal, transverse, block, and edge cracking, each influenced by traffic loading, environmental conditions, and material properties. Shoulder distress, often overlooked, plays a crucial role in pavement stability, affecting overall road safety and performance. The study highlights the relationship between pavement distress and environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations, precipitation, and freeze-thaw cycles. The findings indicate that preventive maintenance, particularly crack sealing and routine surface treatments, significantly reduce deterioration rates. Full-depth reclamation is identified as an effective long-term solution for shoulder rehabilitation, whereas routine maintenance applied to pavements in good condition extends service life. A Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) reveals that routine preventive maintenance is the most cost-effective strategy over a 40-year analysis period, ensuring both economic and structural sustainability. Keywords: Flexible Pavement, Cracking, Shoulder Distress, Pavement Maintenance, Life Cycle Cost Analysis, Preventive Maintenance, Pavement Management, Environmental Impact, Structural Integrity.