Deformation in Bituminous Pavements: How IRC 82 Guides Detection and Rectification?

Deformation in bituminous pavements is one of the most critical indicators of structural distress on Indian roads. It directly affects ride quality, safety, and long-term performance. The IRC 82-2015 Code of Practice for Maintenance of Bituminous Road Surfaces provides clear guidelines on identifying, assessing, and treating different types of deformation such as rutting, corrugation, shoving, shallow depressions, and settlements.

With the growing push for digital road monitoring systems and AI-based pavement monitoring, Indian road agencies are increasingly adopting automated survey and decision-support platforms like AI road survey tools to detect these deformations early.

In this blog, we will break down what IRC 82 says about each type of deformation, how it can be detected, and how AI-based road maintenance platforms like RoadVision AI are transforming road asset management in India.

Understanding Deformation in Bituminous Pavements

Deformation refers to any permanent change in the original profile of a bituminous pavement. Unlike cracks or surface defects, deformation often results from deeper structural problems in the pavement layers or subgrade. IRC 82 groups deformation into the following main categories:

• Rutting
• Corrugation
• Shoving
• Shallow Depressions
• Settlements and Upheavals

These deformations disrupt the smoothness of the pavement surface, compromise safety, accelerate further damage, and increase vehicle operating costs. Detecting them early is essential for extending the life of roads.

‍

Rutting: A Common Sign of Structural Fatigue

Rutting appears as longitudinal grooves or depressions along wheel paths. According to IRC 82, rutting often occurs due to:

• Heavy and channelized traffic loads
• Inadequate compaction during construction
• Weak pavement layers or poor subgrade
• Improper mix design or use of soft bitumen

Shallow rutting under 10 mm is considered low severity, while deeper rutting is high severity. IRC 82 recommends marking the rut area, applying tack coat, and filling with dense-graded or open-graded premix followed by proper compaction.

Modern AI-based deformation detection can measure rut depth precisely using laser profilers and vision systems, enabling timely resurfacing before major failures.

‍

Corrugation: The Rippling Effect on Pavements

Corrugation is the formation of regular undulations (ripples) across the bituminous surface. IRC 82 notes that it is usually caused by:

• Instability in mix (too much binder or fines)
• Insufficient rolling or laying a tender mix
• Vehicle braking on gradients and intersections

Though shallow, corrugation creates safety hazards and discomfort. IRC 82 advises scarifying the surface, recompacting, and laying a new stable layer.

Continuous AI-based pavement monitoring now helps detect early corrugation before it becomes visible to the eye, improving planning for road safety audits.

‍

Shoving: Plastic Movement in Bituminous Layers

Shoving refers to bulging or heaving of the pavement surface, often found at intersections, bus stops, curves, and steep grades. IRC 82 identifies causes such as:

• Lack of mix stability due to excess binder or soft binder
• Heavy braking and acceleration loads
• Weak bonding between surface and lower layers

Shoving typically begins as crescent-shaped cracks and later leads to surface upheaval. IRC 82 prescribes removing the affected material, ensuring firm base bonding, and patching with stable premix.

AI platforms like RoadVision AI are now enabling easy detection of shoving on bituminous surfaces as per IRC norms, helping prevent severe structural failure.

‍

Shallow Depressions: Localized Dips that Trap Water

Shallow depressions are isolated low spots that collect water, accelerating surface deterioration. IRC 82 cites inadequate compaction of lower layers or subgrade settlements as primary causes.

Treatment involves filling depressions with premix materials and compacting to match the surrounding level. Automated AI road survey tools can rapidly identify these dips using surface profiling sensors and visual AI.

‍

Settlements and Upheavals: Serious Structural Red Flags

Settlement road defects are large deformations along the wheel paths while upheavals are localized bulges. IRC 82 links them to:

• Poor compaction behind bridge abutments or utility cuts
• Excess moisture in subgrade
• Inadequate pavement thickness

If left untreated, they can trigger cracks, water ingress, and pavement disintegration. IRC 82 recommends excavating defective fill, improving drainage, reconstructing the base, or applying structural overlays.

Digital road monitoring systems now track longitudinal profiles over time, allowing agencies to schedule reconstruction before failures escalate.

‍

Why India Needs AI-Based Deformation Detection?

Traditional inspections rely on manual visual surveys done once or twice a year. This leaves long blind periods when deformations worsen unnoticed.

AI road maintenance systems overcome this by:

• Capturing road surface data continuously using survey vehicles or drones
• Detecting rutting, corrugation, shoving, and settlements automatically
• Linking findings with road asset management in India systems for prioritised budgeting
• Supporting predictive models that plan renewals before serviceability drops

This approach is helping road agencies and municipalities extend pavement life and cut rehabilitation costs.

‍

Conclusion

IRC 82-2015 offers a clear roadmap for detecting and rectifying deformation in bituminous pavements through structured evaluation and timely treatment. However, real-world implementation demands faster and more objective detection than manual methods can offer.

RoadVision AI is transforming infrastructure development and maintenance by harnessing artificial intelligence and computer vision AI to revolutionize road safety and management. By leveraging advanced computer vision artificial intelligence and digital twin technology, the platform enables the early detection of potholes, cracks, and other road surface issues, ensuring timely repairs and better road conditions. With a mission to build smarter, safer, and more sustainable roads, RoadVision AI tackles challenges like traffic congestion and ensures full compliance with IRC Codes. By empowering engineers and stakeholders with data-driven insights, the platform reduces costs, minimizes risks, and enhances the overall transportation experience.

With AI-based pavement monitoring from the best AI road asset management company in India, agencies can spot early deformation, plan interventions, and ensure safer, longer-lasting roads.

Book a demo with us to see how RoadVision AI can transform your pavement maintenance strategies.

‍

FAQs

‍

Q1. What causes rutting in Indian bituminous roads?

‍
Rutting is mainly caused by heavy traffic, poor compaction, weak subgrade, and improper mix design.

‍

Q2. How can deformation be detected early?

‍
Automated road survey tools with laser profilers and visual sensors can detect rutting, corrugation, and settlements far earlier than manual checks.

‍

Q3. Does deformation affect road safety?

‍
Yes, deformations reduce ride quality, increase braking distances, and cause water pooling, all of which increase accident risk.

‍