Models for Predicting Reflection Cracking of Hot-Mix Asphalt Overlays

Reflection cracking is one of the primary forms of distress in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) overlays of flexible and rigid pavements. In addition to affecting ride quality, the penetration of water and foreign debris into these cracks accelerates the deterioration of the overlay and the underlying pavement, thus reducing service life. The basic mechanism causing reflection cracking is strain concentration in the overlay due to movement in the existing pavement in the vicinity of joints and cracks. This movement may be induced by bending or shear action resulting from traffic loads or temperature changes and is influenced by traffic volume and characteristics, daily and seasonal temperature variations, and other factors (e.g., pavement structure and condition, HMA mixture properties, the degree of load transfer at joints and cracks). Preliminary models for predicting the extent and severity of reflection cracking in HMA overlays have been developed; however, only limited research has been performed to evaluate and validate these models. Research is needed to address the issues associated with reflection cracking and to develop mechanistic-based models for use in mechanistic-empirical procedures for the analysis and design of HMA overlays. This research will help account for the effects of reflection cracking on performance thus improving the analysis and design of HMA overlays of flexible and rigid pavements. The objective of the research is to identify or develop mechanistic-based models for predicting reflection cracking in HMA overlays of flexible and rigid pavements and associated computational software for use in mechanistic-empirical procedures for overlay design and analysis.

• Record URL:
  http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=226

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $500000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 1-41

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Project Managers:

  Hanna, Amir

• Performing Organizations:

  Texas A&M Research Foundation, College Station

  Texas A&M University
  College Station, TX  United States  77843
• Principal Investigators:

  Lytton, Robert L.

• Start Date: 20050203
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20100226
• Source Data: RiP Project 8969

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt pavements; Calibration; Concrete overlays; Cracking of asphalt concrete pavements; Deterioration; Flexible pavements; Hot mix asphalt; Reflection cracking; Rigid pavements; Validation
• Identifier Terms: National Cooperative Highway Research Program
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pavements; I30: Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01463129
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: National Cooperative Highway Research Program
• Contract Numbers: Project 1-41
• Files: RIP, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 3 2013 2:17PM