Evaluation of reflective cracking resistance in bituminous mixtures

Title: Evaluation of reflective cracking resistance in bituminous mixtures
Author(s): J.C. Pais, P.A.A. Pereira
Paper category : conference
Book title: Fourth International RILEM Conference on Reflective Cracking in Pavements - Research in Practice
Editor(s): A. O. Abd El Halim, D. A. Taylor
and El H. H. Mohamed
Print-ISBN: 2-912143-14-4
e-ISBN: 2351580265
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2000
Pages: 93 - 102
Total Pages: 10
Nb references: 4
Language: English

Abstract: 
Bituminous overlays are currently the most prevalent method used to retard the reappearance of cracks in the pavement surface. Even though the usual distress mode in overlays is reflective cracking, the design of these overlays typically does not take this particular distress mechanism into account. Oftentimes, reflective cracks rapidly propagate through the overlay, sometimes within a year or two of rehabilitation. Ideally, overlays should have the ability to retard, for some time, the propagation of the existing crack pattern.

The resistance of a bituminous mixture to reflective cracking can be evaluated by measuring the fatigue life of specimens in the laboratory under similar conditions to those occuring in actual pavements. The results of such laboratory fatigue tests could then be used in pavement design with a greater degree of confidence.

In this paper, laboratory simulation of the cracking phenomena that takes place in the field is carried out with the Reflective Cracking Device (RCD). The RCD applies a typical crack activity pattern as can be directly measured in flexible pavements. A method for measuring the fatigue life of an overlay due to reflective cracking is proposed, based on the analysis of displacement control tests with the RCD.

For the design of pavement overlays, a mechanistic-empirical method, which includes reflective cracking criteria, is proposed. This method consists of an iterative process to find the overlay thickness that considers fatigue life due to reflective cracking.

Online publication: 2009-12-23
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00