If there is too little material at the longitudinal joint, what is likely to happen?

When there is too little material at the longitudinal joint in a Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) pavement, it can lead to the joint opening up. This occurs because the joint is the point where two different asphalt lanes meet, and insufficient material means that there may not be enough strength to hold the two lanes together securely.

As the pavement experiences traffic loads and other stresses, the lack of adequate material can cause the joint to become weak, allowing it to separate or open up. This opening can lead to water infiltration, which can undermine the integrity of the pavement structure, potentially causing further cracking and damage over time.

In contrast, having too thick a surface would not be related to the amount of material at the joint, and a well-formed joint is less likely to remain intact if there is insufficient material. Similarly, not having any effect at all would contradict the nature of how joints function under stress and load. Thus, the implication that the joint may open up due to insufficient material is a critical understanding in HMA installation and maintenance processes.