Asphalt pavements often suffer reflective cracking phenomena. Crack appearance at the road surface leads to several detrimental effects, including the loss of watertightness. Geocomposites, such as grid-reinforced bituminous membranes, represent an efficient method against reflective cracking since they combine improved tensile properties of grids and stress-relieving effects of membranes. Moreover, membranes allow pavement waterproofing. This paper presents laboratory and field studies carried out to investigate the reflective cracking resistance of geocomposite-reinforced asphalt systems. The study is based on a real-scale field trial constructed along an in-service motorway. Five geocomposites were taken into account and the possible use of a tack coat and application on a milled surface were also evaluated. Interface shear tests were carried out both on field cores and on laboratory-made samples. Moreover, pre-notched laboratory specimens were subjected to specifically-developed simulative tests through the Wheel Tracking equipment. Experimental results clearly showed that a proper selection and application of optimized grid-reinforced bituminous membranes can significantly enhance reflective cracking resistance of asphalt pavements.
Geocomposites against Reflective Cracking in Asphalt Pavements: Laboratory Simulation and Field Application
PASETTO, MARCO;
2015
Abstract
Asphalt pavements often suffer reflective cracking phenomena. Crack appearance at the road surface leads to several detrimental effects, including the loss of watertightness. Geocomposites, such as grid-reinforced bituminous membranes, represent an efficient method against reflective cracking since they combine improved tensile properties of grids and stress-relieving effects of membranes. Moreover, membranes allow pavement waterproofing. This paper presents laboratory and field studies carried out to investigate the reflective cracking resistance of geocomposite-reinforced asphalt systems. The study is based on a real-scale field trial constructed along an in-service motorway. Five geocomposites were taken into account and the possible use of a tack coat and application on a milled surface were also evaluated. Interface shear tests were carried out both on field cores and on laboratory-made samples. Moreover, pre-notched laboratory specimens were subjected to specifically-developed simulative tests through the Wheel Tracking equipment. Experimental results clearly showed that a proper selection and application of optimized grid-reinforced bituminous membranes can significantly enhance reflective cracking resistance of asphalt pavements.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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