Forensic Investigation of a Cracked Highway Embankment Pavement in Louisiana: A Case Study

Highway embankment performance in Louisiana is susceptible to complete or partial failure due to various environmental, geotechnical, and construction factors. This study focused on a cracked Interstate pavement in Louisiana, investigating the possible causes of its occurrence. A comprehensive case study was conducted involving site characterization and laboratory testing. The analysis focused on evaluating slope stability, natural soil settlement, and embankment fill movement. The results indicated that slope stability and settlement due to fill weight did not cause the failure, while the construction and composition of the embankment fill likely contributed to the pavement cracking. Given the critical role of existing highway embankments in the transportation infrastructure, continuous performance monitoring was suggested as a practical approach to mitigate failures. Although the quality of such monitoring, remote sensing, and asset management efforts continues to improve, it was also critical to ensure that fundamental good practices were observed during construction. This research emphasized on the importance of thorough site investigation, material selection, and proper construction practices for ensuring the long-term performance of highway embankments in Louisiana.