1. Pavement distress from trapped water
Pavement issues caused by soil and pumping are often the result of poor subgrade conditions and water infiltration. When water seeps into the pavement layers and reaches fine-grained or weak soils, it can lead to a loss of support. Under repeated traffic loads, especially from heavy aircraft or vehicles, this water-saturated soil is displaced upward through joints or cracks in the pavement, a phenomenon known as “pumping.” Pumping can lead to the ejection of fines, loss of subgrade stability, voids beneath the pavement, and ultimately cause cracking, faulting, and premature pavement failure. Effective drainage and proper subgrade preparation are critical to mitigating this problem.