Investigation of Reflective Cracking in Wisconsin

This research aims to determine mixture performance and mix design requirements that increase the resistance of asphalt overlays to reflective cracking in Wisconsin. Recommendations must not sacrifice other critical performance or constructability attributes, such as rutting resistance and smoothness. Research efforts should focus on mill and overlay and overlay over existing Portland Cement Concrete design scenarios. Summarize existing mix design and performance requirements for asphalt overlays used by local and State Agencies in regions with similar climatic and aggregate resources as Wisconsin. Identify and recommend process-driven methods and technologies that show promise in reducing reflective cracking in Wisconsin. Using existing Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) mixtures as a benchmark, modify or supplement the existing WisDOT balanced mix design (BMD) special provision focusing on BMD “Approach C” for mixtures designated for asphalt overlays. Researchers will summarize relevant local and State practices concerning asphalt overlays and reflective cracking resistance, focusing on regions with similar climate, traffic, and aggregate resources as Wisconsin. Identify potential process-driven methods and technologies to improve reflective cracking resistance for recommendation as future WisDOT research. Using the existing WisDOT BMD special provision as guidance, researchers will preferentially modify or supplement the provision using BMD “Approach C” to reduce the reflective cracking of asphalt overlays. Develop recommendations and requirements to validate the BMD framework developed in prior tasks. Recommendations should consider a minimum number of projects, mix design designations (such as traffic level), project scope and size, and requirements for mixture sampling and data acquisition, among other variables.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Sponsor Organizations:

  Auburn University

  Auburn, AL  United States  36830
• Start Date: 20241004
• Expected Completion Date: 20260930
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Mix design; Pavement overlays; Pavement performance; Portland cement concrete; Reflection cracking
• Geographic Terms: Wisconsin
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01979809
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 18 2026 11:13AM