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The generation of longitudinal pavement pressures or growth of jointed-rigid pavement have been recognized by many engineers for at least a century. The manifestations of this pressure/growth phenomenon, in the form of progressive pavement and bridge damage, are vivid examples of its destructive potential. Yet, only a few researchers have attempted to measure the pressures generated by this phenomenon. None, to the author's knowledge, have attempted to periodically monitor pressure generation for the purpose of either determining and describing pressure generation characteristics or predicting the probability of its abrupt final and destructive manifestations. Because the pavement/growth phenomenon occurs over such a long period of time (a decade or more), it is generally unrecognized, or if recognized, it is poorly understood. Consequently, design and maintenance of jointed rigid pavement continues to be guided more by intuition and personal judgement rather than be replicated research and professional consensus. This paper provides a speculative description of the pavement pressure/growth phenomenon. It also contains an appeal to research professionals to develop instrumentation suitable to monitor generating pavement pressures. The results of such research should finally enable the transportation profession to establish suitable background so that future pavement design and maintenance will be guided so that pressure generation will be minimized and pavement and bridge function and durability will be improved. Otherwise, transportation systems will continue to experience progressive and substantial pavement and bridge damage, commensurate repair costs, and the traveling public will continue to be exposed to occasional but abrupt manifestations of its destructive potential.
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