ARRB Group was approached by a local Melbourne Council to offer advice on some cracked pavements. The locality in question encompasses large areas of formerly low lying land, and water tables are generally close to the surface throughout most of the year. This has led to difficulties in the provision of infrastructure and, of particular concern, has been the provision of pavements. It had been accepted practice for road pavements in the area to be constructed using either concrete or cement penetration of the base and sub base layers. This practice results in relatively strong pavements but also leads to extensive cracking in the cemented materials. Previous surfacing treatments, mostly a dense-graded asphalt complying with VicRoads specification 407, have been unsuccessful in providing a durable low cost surfacing. Reflected cracks have appeared in this type of treatment within six months of being laid and become unsightly and cause some concern for residents.(a).
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