Development of a full-Scale approach to predict overlay reflective crack

ABSTRACT

Resurfacing a moderately deteriorated Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement with asphalt concrete (AC) layers is considered an efficient rehabilitation practice. However, reflective cracks may develop shortly after resurfacing because of discontinuities (e.g. joints and cracks) in existing PCC pavement. In this paper, a new accelerated full-scale testing approach was developed to study reflective crack growth in AC overlays. Two hydraulic actuators were used to simulate a moving dual-tire assembly with a loading rate of more than five-thousand-wheel passes per hour. A load cycle consists of three steps, simulating a tire approaching, moving across, and leaving a PCC discontinuity. Experiments were conducted to compare the reflective crack behaviour of two overlay configurations. Both test sections were fully cracked in less than an hour. The initiation and propagation of reflective cracks were explicitly documented using crack detectors in conjunction with a camera. The proposed full-scale testing protocol offers a repeatable and efficient approach to systematically investigate the effects of various overlay configurations, thus enabling the identification of optimal design against reflective cracking.

KEYWORDS:

• Asphalt overlay
• full-scale test
• reflective crack
• crack growth

Acknowledgment

This publication is based on the results of ICT-R27-204, Optimized Hot-mix Asphalt (HMA) Lift Configuration for Performance. ICT-R27-204 was conducted in cooperation with the Illinois Center for Transportation; the Illinois Department of Transportation; and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. Special thanks to the ICT research staff, Greg Renshaw, Uthman Mohamed Ali, Marc Killion, and Mohsen Motlagh for their input and support during this study. The support of the following colleagues is truly appreciated: Aravind Ramakrishnan, Ghassan Chehab, Izak Said, Punit Singhvi, Lama Abufares, and Akash Bajaj. The contributions of the technical review committee are acknowledged; especially the input of the co-chairs, John Senger and Loura Heckle. The contents of this paper reflect the view of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Illinois Center for Transportation or the Illinois Department of Transportation. This paper does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Illinois Department of Transportation [grant number R27-204].