ABSTRACT
Maintenance is an essential practice in providing for the long-term performance and the esthetic appearance of an asphalt pavement. The purpose of pavement maintenance is to correct deficiencies caused by distresses and to protect the pavement from further damage. Various degrees or levels of maintenance can be applied to all pavements, regardless of the end use. A motorway or expressway may require patching or an overlay, while a parking lot may receive an annual application of pavement sealer mainly for esthetic purposes. Pavement maintenance is either preventative or corrective. Preventative maintenance is the procedure performed to protect the pavement and decrease the rate of deterioration of the pavement quality. Corrective maintenance is the procedure performed to correct a specific pavement failure or area of distress. Some procedures will address both functions (Roberts et al. 1991). The sealing of cracks for the most part is considered a preventative maintenance measure. Patching is considered a corrective maintenance measure.
