PAVEMENT RUTTING IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA: A DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM

F. Balghunalm, I. Dhubaib, S. Khan, M. Fatani,

H. Abdulwahhab and A. Bubshait A.

ABSTRACT

Rutting is the most predominant type of pavement failure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Recently constructed pavements are experiencing unexpectedly high levels of rutting within short periods (months in some cases) from opening them for traffic. Some factors which are possibly responsible for this premature rutting are: large number of overloaded trucks, high ambient temperatures, use of full-depth asphalt pavements, use of softer asphalt grade (60-70 pen.) than suitable for the environmental conditions, tender mixes, Insufficient voids, low quality filler materials, aggregate gradation on the finer side, use of a mix design method (Marshall) Incapable of screening out rutting susceptible mixes, and poor construction practices.

This paper will present a summary of a survey of the extent and degree of rutting of pavements In Saudi Arabia. Corrective measures will be pointed out for immediate implementation for maintenance of rutted pavements, as well as new pavements' construction. Finally, the paper will summarize the national research project undertaken to investigate the rutting problem nationwide.