Prediction of existing reflective cracking potential of flexible pavements

Title: Prediction of existing reflective cracking potential of flexible pavements
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: 155 - 164
Total Pages: 10
Nb references: 4
Language: English

Abstract: 
The overlay of a cracked pavement is subject to reflective cracking due the existing crack potential. In a cracked pavement, this cracking potential can be evaluated by means of crack activity due to traffic loads and temperature gradient.

Traffic loads cause vertical and horizontal activity between the two edges of the cracks. These activities are caused by rocking of blocks between the cracks as well as by the shape of the deflection basin, combined with the size of the blocks. The temperature gradient causes horizontal activity between the two edges of cracks. The main goal of this work is the development of a model to predict the reflective cracking potential of flexible pavements.

In this work, the crack activity was measured with a Crack Activity Meter (CAM) on 14 test sections of Portuguese flexible pavements. The resulting crack activities were analyzed and the influence of pavement conditions was evaluated, which in turn lead to the development of a model to predict crack activity before overlay.

Reflective cracking potential is a function of overlay material properties, namely the overlay thickness and stiffness. Crack activity after overlay was predicted using a finite element model.

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