Pothole
Pothole
A pothole is a type of road surface defect that occurs when the surface layer of a road or pavement breaks down, creating a hole or depression. Potholes are a common issue in many regions, particularly in areas with frequent freeze-thaw cycles, heavy traffic, or poor road maintenance.
Formation[edit | edit source]
Potholes typically form due to the combined effects of water, temperature changes, and traffic. The process begins when water seeps into cracks in the road surface. During cold weather, the water freezes and expands, causing the cracks to widen. When the ice melts, the road material contracts, leaving gaps beneath the surface. Repeated cycles of freezing and thawing weaken the road structure, and the weight of vehicles passing over these weakened areas eventually causes the surface to collapse, forming a pothole.
Impact[edit | edit source]
Potholes can have several negative impacts, including:
- Vehicle damage: Potholes can cause damage to tires, suspension systems, and wheel alignment.
- Traffic safety: Potholes can pose a hazard to drivers, potentially leading to accidents.
- Economic costs: Repairing potholes and the damage they cause can be costly for both municipalities and vehicle owners.
Prevention and Repair[edit | edit source]
Preventing and repairing potholes involves several strategies:
- Regular maintenance: Routine inspection and maintenance of roads can help identify and address small cracks before they develop into potholes.
- Sealcoating: Applying a protective sealant to the road surface can help prevent water infiltration.
- Patching: Filling potholes with asphalt or other materials can provide a temporary fix.
- Resurfacing: In cases of extensive damage, resurfacing the road may be necessary.
Related Topics[edit | edit source]
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
