A highway pavement is 

a structure consisting of superimposed layers of processed materials above the natural

soil sub-grade, whose primary function is to distribute the applied vehicle loads to the sub-grade
The primary function of a pavement is to transmit loads to the sub-base and underlying soil. Modern flexible
pavements contain sand and gravel or crushed stone compacted with a binder of bituminous material, such as
asphalt, tar, or asphaltic oil. Such a pavement has enough plasticity to absorb shock.
A flexible pavement structure is generally composed of several layers of materials which can accommodate
this “flexing”. On the other hand, rigid pavements are composed of a PCC surface course. Such pavements
are substantially “stiffer” than flexible pavements due to the high modulus of elasticity of the PCC material.
The span of flexible pavement is short. The span of Rigid pavement is long. In Rigid pavement good subgrade
is not required. In flexible pavement It is simple to put locate or repair below ground pipes
1.
Rutting is a term for when permanent deformation or consolidation accumulates in an asphalt pavement
surface over time; this is typically shown by the wheel path being engraved in the road.
For example, the high temperature of pavement makes the asphalt softer, thus the risk is high that heavy
vehicles cause rutting due to the plastic deformation, which will decrease the pavement evenness and
consequently affect the traffic safety.
2.

Uncontrolled heavy axle loads - The axle load of a wheeled vehicle is the total weight bearing on the
roadway for all wheels connected to a given axle.

Heavier the vehicle, more the momentum and kinetic energy of the vehicle will be. This decreases the vehicle's
ability to stop quickly and will cause a wear and tear on the brakes as well as on tires that could have lasting
negative effects.

3. Inadequate Stability

Many countries lack integrated transportation system plans and infrastructures which would coordinate all means of
transport to satisfy the needs of development. Road and rail networks are inadequate; and if inland waterways exist
their use may be primitive if they are used at all. In developed countries, the proportion of road to rail transport is not
always economical; and in the large metropolitan areas, public passenger transportation systems do not meet the
needs of the increasingly densely populated and trafficked urban centres.

4. Loss of binding Action

When transport systems are deficient in terms of capacity or reliability, they can have an economic cost, such
as reduced or missed opportunities and lower quality of life. At the aggregate level, efficient transportation
reduces costs in many economic sectors, while inefficient transportation increases these costs.
5. Poor design and Fabrication

Examples of infrastructure failures include building collapses, water main breaks, gas pipe ruptures,
dam failures, steam pipe explosions and related types of events.

CRACKS
Cracks are defined as unintentional discontinuities in the structural material and their growth is
the distinguishing characteristic.

Pavement Deformation or surface is the result of weakness in one or more layers of the pavement.

DISINTEGRATION – the progressive breaking up the pavement into small loose pieces. If the
disintegration is not repaired in its early stages, complete reconstruction of the pavement may be
needed

SURFACE DEFECTS – are related to problems in the surface layer