Even Engineers Struggle: Why Do Potholes Appear So Quickly and in Such Great Numbers?

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 25/07/2025 at 08:06

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Potholes in the Asphalt Arise from Wear, Infiltration, and Construction Failures; Solutions Ranging from Quick Patching to the Use of Durable Concrete

They appear suddenly, grow quickly, and cause damage. Potholes in the asphalt are a recurring problem throughout the country. Even with the advancement of technology o s, streets and roads continue to show faults that affect drivers and pedestrians.

The formation of these craters is not a mystery. Heavy traffic, especially from trucks and buses, accelerates the wear of the asphalt.

The quality of the material also influences: when the pavement is poorly applied or made with inferior products, it deteriorates more quickly.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Weather and Infiltration Accelerate Damage

The weather conditions play an important role in this process. Heavy rains, temperature variations, and water infiltration create cracks that evolve into potholes.

Subterranean leaks from sewage or water also compromise the soil structure, causing further sinking and failures in the asphalt.

How to Solve the Pothole Problem

To combat potholes, it is necessary to act on two fronts: prevention and maintenance. Preventing the accumulation of water is essential, and this depends on an efficient drainage system and good finishing in the works. When the damage already exists, the solution can be temporary or permanent.

The temporary patch uses a mixture of cold asphalt to fill the void. With the help of a roller, the pothole is leveled.

This technique is quick and cheaper, but does not last long, requiring frequent repetition of the service.

The more lasting alternative is a complete repair of the road. In this case, the base of the road is redone, and a new layer of asphalt is applied. The cost is higher, but the result is also more resistant.

Concrete Emerges as a Durable Option

Another solution that is gaining traction is the use of concrete instead of asphalt. Made from cement, gravel, and sand, this material has double the durability. It is mainly recommended for streets with heavy traffic.

Despite this, the initial investment is high. Concrete requires extra care, such as the installation of expansion joints to prevent cracks caused by heat. Still, it has proven to be an efficient alternative in various cities.

With information from ND Mais.

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Even Engineers Struggle: Why Do Potholes Appear So Quickly and in Such Great Numbers?

Potholes in the Asphalt Arise from Wear, Infiltration, and Construction Failures; Solutions Ranging from Quick Patching to the Use of Durable Concrete

Weather and Infiltration Accelerate Damage

How to Solve the Pothole Problem

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Engineers want to carve through Africa with a giant canal to bring water from the world’s second-largest river to a dying lake on the edge of the Sahara Desert that has already lost 90% of its water.

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Workers were opening a modern road in Dover when they found, 6 meters below the asphalt, a 3,500-year-old boat made of stitched oak and plant fibers.

Instead of burning or burying old tires, an American city is transforming about 2,000 of them into the street itself, paving its first sections with a quieter and more durable rubber asphalt.

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