Study of Deterioration Phenomenon and Causes in Pavement of Ramp Area

PURPOSES : The objective of this paper is to understand the deterioration phenomenon and causes in the pavement of a ramp area. METHODS : Ramp areas need to be sloped because of the centrifugal force, which depends on the vehicle speed and grade of the ramp area. As a result, vertical and horizontal forces are applied on the pavement surface of the ramp area. Furthermore, the horizontal force depends on the vehicle speed and grade of the ramp area. In order to analyze the pavement structure of a ramp area, a multi-layered elastic analysis program was used to evaluate the weakest link of fatigue cracking deterioration, according to the simultaneously applied vertical and horizontal forces. RESULTS : From case studies related to the bonding conditions between the surface and base layer in a ramp area, it was found that the partially bonded cases resulted in a critical potential of fatigue cracking deterioration, in a comparison of 50%, 70%, and fully bonded cases. CONCLUSIONS : According to the results of the case studies, the pavement structure system should be reinforced by upgrading the material or increasing the thickness compared to the general pavement areas, in order to provide a performance life similar to the mainline pavements in the ramp areas.