Evaluation of parameters affecting reflection cracking in geogrid-reinforced overlay

The influence of the most important parameters on the service life of reinforced asphalt overlay with geogrid materials in bending mode was examined by employing the Taguchi method and analysis of variance techniques. The objectives of this experiment was to investigate the effects of grid stiffness, tensile strength, coating type, amount of tack coat, overlay thickness, crack width and stiffnesses of asphalt overlay and existing asphalt concrete on propagation of the reflection cracking. Results indicate that the stiffnesses of cracked layer and overlay are the main significant factors that can directly improve the service life of an overlay against the reflection cracking. Generally, glass grid is more effective in reinforced overlay than polyester grid. Effect of crack width of the existing layer is significant when its magnitude increases from 6 to 9 mm.

Laboratory characterization of temperature induced reflection cracks

A hot-mix asphalt(HMA) overlay is one of the primary strategy for rehabilitating existing HMA pavements and Portland cement concrete(PCC) pavements. The current design program, FAARFIELD, does not address reflective cracking for asphalt-overlaid concrete pavements due to its mechanism complexity. The bending, shearing, and thermal are three crucial factors to successfully model reflective cracking. To implement this failure mode in flexible over rigid design procedure, a series of full-scale test pavements were constructed, instrumented, and tested in the condition of extreme cooling temperature at the FAA National Airport Pavement Test Facility. The purpose was to assess cooling effects on the propagation of reflection cracks for airport AC over PCC pavements. In preparation for reflective cracking phase VI test, the FAA is conducting laboratory experiment on field extracted hot mix asphalt(HMA) cores. In order to test these field HMA cores, the Texas Overlay Tester(OT) was customized to get data similar to the full-scale tests. This paper discusses finite element analysis on the full-scale testing, development of the customized Texas OT, and a laboratory testing suite using the customized Texas OT, including preliminary tests, instrumentation, experiment design, and test results. Data obtained from this research effort will be used to develop a rational testing procedure to simulate extreme cooling cycles through full-scale testing.

Reflective cracking viscoelastic response of asphalt concrete under dynamic vehicle loading

In order to investigate the mechanical response of reflective cracking in asphalt concrete pavement under dynamic vehicle loading, a finite element model is established in ABAQUS. The viscoelastic behavior is described by a prony series which is calculated through nonlinear fitting to the creep test data obtained in the laboratory. Based on the viscoelastic theory, the time-temperature equivalence principle, fracture mechanics and the dynamic finite element method, both the Jintegral and the mix-mode stress intensity factor are utilized as fracture evaluation parameters, and a half-sine dynamic loading is used to simulate the vehicle loading. Finally, the mechanical response of the pavement reflective cracking is analyzed under different vehicle speeds, different environmental conditions and various damping factors. The results indicate that increasing either the vehicle speed or the structure damping factor decreases the maximum values of fracture parameters, while the structure temperature has little effect on the fracture parameters. Due to the fact that the vehicle speed can be enhanced by improving the road traffic conditions, and the pavement damping factor can become greater by modifying the components of materials, the development of reflective cracking can be delayed and the asphalt pavement service life can be effectively extended through both of these ways.

Numerical analysis of reflective cracking and fatigue lives of semi-rigid pavement structures using ABAQUS and FE-SAFE

In order to compare the impact of thickness of different layers on fatigue lives of different semi-rigid asphalt pavement structures, the mechanical results from finite element models in ABAQUS are incorporated with the fatigue results from fatigue models in FE-SAFE to calculate the mechanical response and fatigue lives of semi-rigid pavement structures under heavy traffic loads. Then the influences on fatigue lives caused by the changes in the thickness of layers in pavement structures are also evaluated. The numerical simulation results show that the aggregated base and the large stone porous mixture （LSPM） base have better anti-cracking performance than the conventional semi-rigid base. The appropriate thickness range for the aggregated layer in the aggregated base is 15 to 18 cm. The thickness of the LSPM layer in the LSPM base is recommended to be less than 15 cm.

Design and evaluation of epoxy asphalt geogrid stress- absorbing layer

In order to delay or eliminate the occurrence and expansion of the reflective cracking in the asphalt concrete overlay on old cement concrete pavement, an epoxy asphalt geogrid stress-absorbing layer（ EAGSAL） was designed. The EAGSAL consists of epoxy asphalt and fiberglass geogrid. The pull-out test, skewshearing test, bending beam test and fatigue test were conducted to evaluate the performance of the EAGSAL and a traditional stress-absorbing layer（ TSAL）. The results showthat the adhesive performance, shear performance, bending strength and fatigue performance of the EAGSAL with an optimal spraying volume of epoxy asphalt are better than those of optimally designed TSAL, and the maximum bending strain of the EAGSAL is very close to that of the TSAL. The EAGSAL has superior performance in reflective cracking resistance.Moreover, the EAGSAL with the optimal spraying volume of approximately 2. 0 L m^2 is thinner and lighter than the TSAL,which can decrease the thickness and improve the bearing ability of the whole pavement structure.

Preparation of A New Type of Stress-absorbed Material

Neoprene latex modified emulsified bitumen and fine aggregate are used to prepare a new type of stress-absorbed material, which has strong ability of anti-reflective cracking on asphalt concrete over layer-constructed upon a semi-rigid type base course or cement concrete pavement block. Experimental results demonstrate the stress-absorbed material have excellent mechanical properties including a low modulus of elasticity, high ultimate tensile stress and strain, and a strong distortion ability. Stress concentration in asphalt over layer originated by temperature changes and traffic loads can be alleviated.

Rubblization: A Practical, Cost Effective and Sustainable Option for Repairing Deteriorated Airfield Pavement in the Empty Quarter Desert of Saudi Arabia

Rubblization technique has been extensively used to repair the damaged concrete pavement and has proven successful in developed countries like the US and Europe. It has not been fully adopted in developing region like the Middle East and this paper presents the design and construction challenges posed while assessing damaged concrete runway in empty quarter of Saudi Arabia. A number of design options for repairs for runway pavement were considered and rubblization was chosen as a preferred option for repair. This paper includes the consideration for the assessment and adoption of the concrete rubblized modulus value using the falling weight deflectometer, optimization of the tests for the whole runway using the Heavy Weight Deflectometer HWD testing to replace pits, safely working around the utilities, reasonable assumption of drop height of the pavement and installation of utility conduits in the rubblized layer. Findings of the paper demonstrates resolving technical issues which are not very well covered in the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) EB-66 such as the additional test strips, minimum areas of rubblization for assessment using test pits, drop in the height of concrete surface and fixing of utilities in rubblized pavement. The case study demonstrates that the rubblization can be successfully carried out in remote locations like empty quarter of Saudi Arabia with carefully carried out detailed site investigations, adopting correct assumed design rubblization modulus, quality control using HWD, protection of utilities while rubblizing and use of polymer modified asphalt for successful project deployment.

Potential of South African road technology for application in China

One of the main problems with roads and highways in China is the reflection cracking caused by the cement stabilized subbase layers passing through the overlying asphaltic layers. The cracks permit the ingress of moisture which softens the layers below the subbase resulting in loss of support and accelerated breakdown of the subbase layer and reduction in the tiding quality. The aim of this paper is to present the use of South African pavement design approach of deep structure and thin surfacing to overcome the existing problems. The deep pavement structure provides good long-term support and avoids the influence of moisture ingress, which means that only surfacing damage needs to be repaired. An unbound crushed stone base layer which is an integral component of the pavement structure limits reflection cracking. The paper first deals with the South African pavement design procedure and contrast this with the Chinese pavement design method. The inherent weaknesses of these methods are discussed and flowing from this discussion proposals for adapting the South African approach to China is presented. The resultant proposals have a high likelihood of success and will counteract the influences of extreme climate and rampant overloading that occurs on the Chinese roads.

Review and evaluation of cold recycling with bitumen emulsion and cement for rehabilitation of old pavements

The article presents Polish experience with cold recycling of asphalt pavements with the usage of bituminous emulsion and cement. In the 1990 s numerous roads in Poland required immediate reinforcement due to their significant degradation. Implementation of the cold recycling technology was one of the solutions to this problem. Cold recycled mixtures contain e beside the recycled asphalt pavement and aggregate e two different types of binding agents: bituminous emulsion and Portland cement. First Polish requirements were developed in the 1990 s and were based on the Marshall test. After several years of application of these requirements, numerous transverse cracks appeared on the pavements. Field investigation showed that the frequency of transverse cracking was not uniform on all evaluated sections and that the growth rate of the number of cracks was decreasing. The main reason of extensive cracking was the overly high amount of the Portland cement and insufficient amount of the bituminous emulsion. This led to production of very stiff mixtures, with dominance of hydraulic bonds, which behaved similarly to cement-treated mixtures. The idea of flexible cold recycled base course was not utilized. This experience motivated the Polish Road Administration to develop new requirements. Second part of the article presents the new requirements for cold recycling.New test methods as well as requirements concerning resistance to frost and water action were introduced in 2013. Implementing of the new requirements resulted in significant reduction in stiffness of the MCE mixtures. Values of stiffness modulus are even three times lower, which should significantly decrease the amount of potential reflective cracks on the pavement surface. Presently two types of technology of cold recycling are used in Poland, in-place and in-plant.