01722469

Component

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/179718.aspx

Thermal cracking is a major distress in cold regions of the United States. During pavement cooling cycles, thermally induced (or non-load–associated) tensile stress begins to build-up in asphalt pavement surfaces. From a local or microscopic viewpoint, when the accumulated thermal stress exceeds the local tensile strength of the material, separation in the form of microcracks occur. Coalescence and propagation of this material tearing leads to a visible, highly oriented crack pattern. Thermal cracks typically appear as transverse cracks in the pavement, since the pavement is generally restrained in the longitudinal direction while it can contract in the transverse direction. Long-term aged pavements sometimes display block cracking, possibly in combination with thermal cracking. This paper focuses mainly on transverse cracking. However, two of the sections investigated were dominated by block cracking and a technique was developed to assess these sections in terms of their transverse cracking content. Over the past decade, considerable laboratory and field investigations have linked fracture energy as measured in the disk-shaped compact tension (DC(T)) to transverse cracking. This paper provides a comprehensive summary of data from 52 projects having both DC(T) fracture energy results and field cracking measurements. A discussion of results and implications to performance-engineered mix design (PEMD) are provided, along with currently recommended specification thresholds and future directions.

01722465

English

pp 51-71

2019-9

Transportation Research Circular

Digital/other

Figures; Photos; References; Tables

Asphalt pavements; Asphalt tests; Cracking; Fracture mechanics; Fracture tests; Laboratory tests; Mix design; Pavement performance

Highways; Materials; Pavements

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Nov 15 2019 11:10AM

• Development and Validation of the IDEAL Cracking Test
• Development of the Illinois Flexibility Index Test
• Evaluating Balanced Mixture Design for New Jersey to Enhance Asphalt Mixture Durability
• Implementation of Balanced Mixture Criteria During Asphalt Mixture Design: Louisiana’s Experience