Causes for surface fatigue cracks on asphalt pavements

Title: Causes for surface fatigue cracks on asphalt pavements
Author(s): V. Vodopivec, V. Ostir, B. Lipoglavsek
Paper category : conference
Book title: Fifth International RILEM Conference on Reflective Cracking in Pavements
Editor(s): C. Petit, I.L. Al-Qadi and A. Millien
Print-ISBN: 2-912143-47-0
e-ISBN: 2912143764
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2004
Pages: 11 - 18
Total Pages: 8
Nb references: 9
Language: English

Abstract: Cracks in normal designed pavements begin to occur on top and not on bottom of asphalt layers, though calculated tensile stresses under traffic load, for treated pavement are about 11 times less on top than on bottom. Under various conditions this ratio changes on account of surface tensile stresses. Low temperature can account 1.1, difference in temperature at surface and at bottom 2.0, bitumen hardening 2.0, sixteen times wheel loads 2.0, ratio of computed and flexion stresses 2.0, and surface load 1.2, which gives total load ratio of 21.12. Estimated average ratio, which is 11.0 under normal conditions, with all exceptional conditions taken into account, changed to 11/21.12=0.52. This means that pavement under such exceptional conditions is actually twice as burdened with tensile stresses on surface as on bottom. Such exceptional conditions are generally of short duration but can be enough for surface pavement to crack. These cracks will spread deeper in milder conditions as well. Spring thaw cause ratio about 3.0 and coincide with all factors besides temperature factors 1.1 and 2.0, so ratio increased for 3/2.2=1.36 and gives complete ratio 28.8 or 11/28.8=0.38.

Online publication: 2004-04-15
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00