# Mat Shoving

Displacement of the HMA mixture in a longitudinal direction while compacting. Shoving under traffic loading is covered in a seperate article.

- Canonical URL: https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement-distresses/mat-shoving/
- Last updated: 2018-09-19
- Review: reviewed by licensed professional engineers on the previous Pavement Interactive site, where reviewers were not recorded by name

## Description

Displacement of the HMA mixture in a longitudinal direction while compacting. Shoving under traffic loading is covered in a [seperate article](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement-distresses/corrugation-and-shoving/).

## Problem

Mats that shove under compaction loading are generally unstable and are likely to continue to deform under traffic loading leading to roughness problems. If a mat is not adequately compacted because it is shoving, the resulting low density can cause the mat to be susceptible to decreased stiffness, reduced fatigue life, accelerated aging/decreased [durability](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/materials/asphalt/durability/), [rutting](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement-distresses/rutting/), [raveling](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement-distresses/raveling/), and [moisture damage](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement-distresses/stripping/) (Hughes, 1984[^1]; Hughes, 1989[^2]).

## Possible Causes

[Tender mixes](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/construction/compaction/tender-mixes/).

## Solutions

Eliminate the causes for tender mixes or develop a compaction sequence and pattern to accommodate the tender mix. Compaction sequence and patterns will depend upon the type of mix tenderness.

## Sources

[^1]: Hughes, C.S. (1984). “Importance of Asphalt Compaction.” Better Roads, Vol. 54, No. 10. pp. 22-24.
[^2]: Hughes, C.S. (1989). National Cooperative Highway Research Program Synthesis of Highway Practice 152: Compaction of Asphalt Pavement. Transportation Research Board, National Research Council. Washington, D.C.