IRC Code-82-2015: Identifying and Treating Pavement Distress

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Roads are the backbone of a nation’s infrastructure. Yet, despite heavy investments in road construction, many highways and urban roads fall into premature deterioration. The IRC Code-82-2015, formally titled "Code of Practice for Maintenance of Bituminous Road Surfaces", serves as a technical guideline to ensure roads remain functional, safe, and durable through systematic maintenance practices. This blog breaks down the key principles of IRC Code-82-2015, focusing specifically on identifying and treating various forms of pavement distress.

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What is IRC Code-82-2015?

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The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) published IRC:82-2015 to revise and update its 1982 guidelines in light of modern materials, technologies, and traffic demands. It outlines a comprehensive roadmap for routine, preventive, and periodic maintenance of bituminous road surfaces.

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Why Is Pavement Maintenance Important?

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Timely and well-planned pavement maintenance:

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• Prolongs the service life of roads
• Reduces vehicle operating costs (VOC)
• Enhances road safety
• Cuts down pollution
• Saves on costly rehabilitation and reconstruction
• Offers high economic returns (15–20%)

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Types of Pavement Maintenance as per IRC Code-82-2015

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1. Routine Maintenance

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Involves daily tasks like:

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• Pothole filling
• Crack sealing
• Road marking and patch work

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2. Preventive Maintenance

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Performed while the pavement is still in good condition to:

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• Delay deterioration
• Reduce need for major repairs

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3. Periodic Maintenance

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Scheduled at regular intervals or based on pavement condition surveys, including:

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• Applying renewal coats
• Resurfacing and profile correction

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Systematic Approach to Pavement Maintenance

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IRC Code-82-2015 emphasizes the use of a Pavement Maintenance Management System (PMMS). Key components include:

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• Visual and instrumented pavement condition surveys
• Classification of road distress
• Determining treatment based on severity
• Budgeting and planning

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Identifying Pavement Distress: Types, Causes, and Treatment

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Section 7 of IRC Code-82-2015 provides a detailed framework for identifying and addressing different pavement distresses. They are categorized into Surface Defects, Cracks, Deformations, and Disintegration.

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1. Surface Defects

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a) Fatty Surface/Bleeding

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Symptoms: Shiny, slippery surface
Causes: Excess binder, soft bitumen, overuse of tack coat
Treatment:

• Low: Sand blotting and rolling
• Medium: Pre-coated chips with rolling
• High: Milling and resurfacing

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b) Smooth Surface

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Symptoms: Slippery texture
Causes: Polished aggregates, excessive binder
Treatment: Slurry seal, micro-surfacing, non-polishing aggregates

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c) Streaking

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Symptoms: Alternating lean/heavy bitumen lines
Causes: Faulty distributor operations
Treatment: Reapply surface with corrected technique

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d) Hungry Surface

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Symptoms: Dry, fine cracks
Causes: Low bitumen content, absorptive aggregates
Treatment: Fog seal, slurry seal, micro-surfacing

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2. Cracks

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a) Hairline Cracks

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Width: < 1 mm
Treatment: Fog seal, slurry seal, rejuvenating sealants

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b) Alligator/Map Cracks

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Symptoms: Interconnected cracks like reptile skin
Causes: Weak subgrade, heavy loads
Treatment:

• Crack sealing
• Milling and overlay
• Structural strengthening

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c) Longitudinal Cracks

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Location: Along centerline or edges
Causes: Joint failures, shrinkage
Treatment:

• Low/Medium: Crack sealing with rubberized bitumen
• High: Remove and overlay

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d) Transverse Cracks

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Location: Across road direction
Causes: Temperature shrinkage, underlying joint reflection
Treatment: Slurry seal, rubberized bitumen

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e) Edge Cracks

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Location: 0.3–0.5 m from edge
Causes: Poor shoulder support, water ingress
Treatment: Improve drainage, strengthen shoulders, overlay

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f) Reflection Cracks

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Causes: Cracks from underlying layers
Treatment:

• Bitumen crack sealing
• Stress-absorbing membrane (SAM/SAMI)

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3. Deformation

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a) Slippage

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Symptoms: Crescent-shaped cracks
Causes: Poor bonding, excessive deflection
Treatment: Remove layer, reapply with tack coat

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b) Rutting

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Symptoms: Depressions along wheel paths
Causes: Inadequate compaction, heavy traffic
Treatment: Premix patching after proper profiling

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c) Corrugation

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Symptoms: Ripples or waves
Causes: Mix instability, poor rolling
Treatment: Scarifying, resurfacing, rolling

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d) Shoving

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Symptoms: Bulging at stops and curves
Causes: Weak mix, braking forces
Treatment: Cut and replace with stable mix

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e) Shallow Depression

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Symptoms: Isolated water-holding dips
Causes: Localized settlement
Treatment: Premix filling and compaction

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f) Settlement and Upheaval

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Symptoms: Major dips or heaves with cracks
Causes: Subgrade failure, drainage issues
Treatment: Excavate and reconstruct properly

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4. Disintegration

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a) Stripping

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Symptoms: Loss of binder from aggregates
Causes: Moisture, poor aggregate bonding
Treatment:

• Sand application
• Microsurfacing
• Anti-stripping agents

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b) Ravelling

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Symptoms: Aggregate separation
Causes: Poor mix design, aging binder
Treatment:

• Microsurfacing
• Surface recycling
• Overlay with dense mix

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Planning and Prioritizing Maintenance Activities

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• Condition Surveys: Pre- and post-monsoon evaluations
• Severity Assessment: Tables 5.1 to 5.3 categorize distress based on percentage of damage
• Serviceability Indicators: Pavement roughness and skid resistance thresholds guide maintenance timing

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Tools, Equipment, and Safety Measures

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IRC Code-82-2015 also outlines:

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• Specialized tools for pothole repairs
• Mechanized patching technologies
• Guidelines for traffic control and worker safety during repairs

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Conclusion

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The IRC Code-82-2015 provides a scientific, standardized, and field-tested approach to pavement distress management. By focusing on early detection, appropriate categorization, and timely treatment, it ensures longer-lasting roads, cost-effectiveness, and greater public safety.

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Whether you're a road engineer, civil contractor, or policy planner, embracing this code is a step toward sustainable and efficient road infrastructure.

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RoadVision AI is transforming infrastructure development and maintenance by harnessing AI in roads to enhance safety and streamline road management. Using advanced roads AI technology, the platform enables early detection of potholes, cracks, and surface defects through precise pavement surveys, ensuring timely maintenance and optimal road conditions. Committed to building smarter, safer, and more sustainable roads, RoadVision AI aligns with IRC Codes, empowering engineers and stakeholders with data-driven insights that cut costs, reduce risks, and enhance the overall transportation experience.