In Earth Science we are studying the chapter on weathering, erosion, and soils. This question was in the homework sheet, so the answer has something to do with those topics.
2007-02-07 14:07:39 · 12 answers · asked by harrypotteressence 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
water gets under the concrete and freezes. when the temperature rises and the ice, both above and below the concrete, melts. this will will cause an erosion from under the concrete, causing it to give way and cause "potholes".
2007-02-07 14:14:14 · answer #1 · answered by paolo_12b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Black top roads (asphalt roads) are made with asphalt binder (a glue) and aggregates of various sizes (aka rocks). The binder needs to be 300F plus to be flow-able, then mixed with the aggregates, hauled to the site, then placed and compacted. When it cools it hardens up. Though it looks hard, it is somewhat flexible. If not well compacted, the air voids will be higher than they are designed for. Water permeates through the voids, traffic loads cause the water to start moving, the glued bonds of binder to rock start coming unglued, a crack opens up. Allot more water gets in, then accelerates the deterioration. Freeze thaw also speeds up the breaks, as well as wet and soft surfaces (base) the asphalt concrete was placed on.
2007-02-07 15:46:09 · answer #2 · answered by woodleigh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Potholes are often formed during winter. Water seeps into the cracks in the roads when the temperature is above freezing, then, because water expands as it turns into ice, pushes the cracks apart, creating potholes. During the summer, temperatures are too high for this to occur
2007-02-07 14:11:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
moisture - it permeates the road surface and gets between cracks and under the pavement. When it gets really cold, it freezes and when it freezes it expands pushing the road material out of the way(sideways and upward) That is why potholes happen from frost heaves.
2007-02-07 14:59:24 · answer #4 · answered by ButwhatdoIno? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the earth move's like your house move in winter it moves and has to breath besides heavy trucks running the same road, depends on the bottom of the base of the road.
2007-02-07 14:39:05 · answer #5 · answered by leg_pain_666 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Freezing water has alot to do with it. When it freezes it erodes the surface. And then when a plow comes by it picks up the eroded pieces and then you a have a pothole :)
2007-02-07 14:11:33 · answer #6 · answered by Meggan P 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the underground freezing causes the top layer to expand, thats why there is tar(that black stuff) on the road to help the ground expand without cracking.
2007-02-07 14:16:10 · answer #7 · answered by Zack C* 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
water gets under the street and freezes
2007-02-07 14:09:36 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
water seeps into small cracks, then expands and freezes and breaks up the concrete
2007-02-07 14:11:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
cuz dars ice on da road
2007-02-07 14:10:27 · answer #10 · answered by dinosaur hunter 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋