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The main objective of this project was to develop and verify the overlay tester (OT) based fatigue cracking prediction approach in which the OT is used to determine fracture properties (A and n) of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures. This approach was developed based on fracture mechanics. However, not only was the fatigue crack propagation characterized by Paris' law fracture concepts, but the crack initiation described by traditional fatigue model was also included in this approach. In this approach, the fundamental HMA fracture properties (A and n) were used to estimate fatigue life of asphalt pavements including crack initiation and crack propagation.
The focus of many asphalt mixture design procedures over the past 10 years has led to the development of stiffer, drier mixtures. However, these mixes are more difficult to construct and are potentially more prone to reflective cracking. In this research the upgraded overlay tester is introduced and proposed as a simple performance test on reflective cracking. The overlay tester can be run on standard size samples, typically 6 in (150 mm) long by 3 in (75 mm) wide by 1.5 in (38 mm) high. These specimens can be prepared from either field cores or from Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC) molded specimens. The test is rapid and repeatable, and poor samples fail in minutes. It characterizes both crack initiation and crack propagation properties of asphalt mixtures. Based on repeatability study results, three replicates are recommended for the overlay tester. Sensitivity studies indicate that the overlay tester provides reasonable test results. Increasing asphalt content will significantly improve the reflective cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures. In a series of tests on Texas mixtures, it was determined that aggregate absorption has a major impact on the performance of specimens in the overlay tester. This topic has not received much attention recently but it obviously needs to be investigated. In the lab these highly absorptive aggregates did not severely impact the rutting performance but they had a major impact on cracking life. The effectiveness of the overlay tester was validated by five case studies in Texas. The overlay tester results all correlated well with the field performance. Furthermore, the overlay tester results have good correlations with beam fatigue test results and low temperature performance of asphalt mixtures in the field. A preliminary framework of asphalt overlay mixture designs and associated criteria have been proposed. Based on the framework, two examples of asphalt overlay mixture designs are presented in this report. This framework and the associated criteria are preliminary and they will need further refinement. Finally, a brand new overlay tester has been manufactured and delivered to TxDOTs central lab at the edar Park office. In addition, training for the operation and analysis has been provided.
This report describes the thermal stress restrained specimen test (TSRST), which was selected to evaluate the low-temperature cracking resistance of asphalt concrete mixtures. The TSRST system includes a load frame, step-motor-driven load ram, data acquisition hardware and software, temperature controller, and specimen alignment stand. An experiment design that considered a range of mixture and test condition variables was developed to evaluate the suitability of TSRST for characterizing low-temperature cracking resistance of asphalt concrete mixtures. Four asphalts and two aggregates were selected for the experiment. The mixture variables included asphalt type, aggregate type, and air voids content; the test condition variables included specimen size, stress relaxation, aging, and cooling rate.
In the recent past, new materials, laboratory and in-situ testing methods and construction techniques have been introduced. In addition, modern computational techniques such as the finite element method enable the utilization of sophisticated constitutive models for realistic model-based predictions of the response of pavements. The 7th RILEM International Conference on Cracking of Pavements provided an international forum for the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge amongst experts involved in computational analysis, material production, experimental characterization, design and construction of pavements. All submitted contributions were subjected to an exhaustive refereed peer review procedure by the Scientific Committee, the Editors and a large group of international experts in the topic. On the basis of their recommendations, 129 contributions which best suited the goals and the objectives of the Conference were chosen for presentation and inclusion in the Proceedings. The strong message that emanates from the accepted contributions is that, by accounting for the idiosyncrasies of the response of pavement engineering materials, modern sophisticated constitutive models in combination with new experimental material characterization and construction techniques provide a powerful arsenal for understanding and designing against the mechanisms and the processes causing cracking and pavement response deterioration. As such they enable the adoption of truly "mechanistic" design methodologies. The papers represent the following topics: Laboratory evaluation of asphalt concrete cracking potential; Pavement cracking detection; Field investigation of pavement cracking; Pavement cracking modeling response, crack analysis and damage prediction; Performance of concrete pavements and white toppings; Fatigue cracking and damage characterization of asphalt concrete; Evaluation of the effectiveness of asphalt concrete modification; Crack growth parameters and mechanisms; Evaluation, quantification and modeling of asphalt healing properties; Reinforcement and interlayer systems for crack mitigation; Thermal and low temperature cracking of pavements; and Cracking propensity of WMA and recycled asphalts.
Asphalt overlays provide an economical means for treating deteriorated pavements. Thin bonded overlay (TBO) systems have become popular options for pavement rehabilitation. In addition to functional improvements, these systems ensure a high degree of waterproofing benefits. Conventional asphalt concrete fracture tests were developed for pavements with homogeneous asphalt concrete mixtures, and typically their thicknesses exceed two inches. The use of spray paver technology for construction of TBO leads to continuously varying asphalt binder content, up to approximately one-third of the layer thickness. The graded properties of asphalt concrete and thickness of the TBO (typically less than 50 mm) pose challenges for the use of conventional fracture test geometries. For example, obtaining the beams for SEN[B] specimens from pavement may not practical because of insufficient layer thickness of the TBO or may lead to excessive pavement damage. Applications of the other established test geometries, the DC[T] and SC[B] tests, are limited because of the material nonhomogeneity caused by nonuniform distribution of asphalt binder and smaller as-constructed thicknesses of TBO, which are usually less than 25 mm (1 inch) for gap-graded and 50 mm (2 inch) for dense-graded hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures. Both the DC[T] and SC[B] tests simulate movement of the crack fronts in transverse or longitudinal directions in the pavement. Use of these tests on field-procured samples of TBO yields a crack front that encounters nonhomogeneous material through the specimen thickness. The crack moves perpendicular to the axis of material nonhomogeneity, which makes data interpretation and fundamental material fracture characterization challenging. In addition, the crack in the specimens is correlated to a crack channeling across the pavement width rather than a more anticipated bottom-up or top-down direction. New test procedures for fracture characterization of graded asphalt pavement systems that have significant material property gradients through their thicknesses have been proposed. Suitable specimen geometry and testing procedures were developed using ASTM E399 and ASTM D7313-07 as a starting point. Laboratory tests were performed using an optimized compact tension C[T] test geometry for field cores as well as laboratory-fabricated composite specimens. Laboratory testing using the proposed procedure clearly showed distinction in the fracture characteristics for specimens prepared with varying material compositions. This capability of distinguishing different materials combined with stable crack growth makes the proposed testing procedure ideal for fracture characterization of thin and graded pavement systems. Statistical analysis of test data revealed that the proposed C[T] test procedure is capable of detecting differences in fracture energy results across a wide range of pavement systems and yields a low test variability. Finite element simulations of the test procedure further indicate the suitability of the test procedure as well as demonstrate a procedure for extraction of fundamental material properties. The suitability of the proposed C[T] test in the context of warmer temperatures was also evaluated. Changes in the loading rate were suggested to minimize the creep energy dissipation during the test at different test temperatures. Composite specimen fabrication procedure has been developed to optimize the design of TBOs. The proposed procedure can also be used to prepared composite specimens for interface bond strength and rutting resistance tests with emulsion and asphalt cement as tack coat material. Suggested wet application of tack coat emulsion on textured base, compacted with heated Superpave gyratory compactor top plate closely resembles field installation of TBOs. Moreover tack coat emulsion permeation effects on mixture fracture and bulk properties were also evaluated in an experimental study. Image analysis technique was utilized to characterize the tack coat emulsion impregnation gradient through the thickness of the overlays. An integrated approach to predict cracking performance of TBOs was presented combining laboratory test results, numerical simulations and early field performance.
Abstract: Fatigue cracking is a primary distress in asphalt due to repetitive stresses and strains caused by traffic. The main objective of this study is to investigate the use of the semi-circular bend (SCB) test as a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) measure for field construction. The SCB test parameters were determined using two methods, the first of which was cross-head movement (CHM), and the second was non-contact camera. In SCB CHM method the specimens were loaded monotonically until fracture under a constant cross-head deformation, while in none-contact camera method a camera was fixed in front of the SCB specimen to measure the crack length. In addition beam-fatigue test (BFT) was conducted according to AASHTO T-321 on the same mixtures. A comprehensive comparison between the test results is performed. The results of this study indicate that the SCB test has a great potential as a QA/QC test of fracture properties of asphalt mixtures.
Reflection cracking is a major concern when placing an overlay on a cracked pavement. The opening and closing of joints and/or cracks induced by daily temperature cycles is a major contributor to reflection cracking. This mechanism is currently being simulated in the laboratory at the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) using a specially modified overlay-tester device. To evaluate the overlay tester concept laboratory results are presented on cores from four Texas projects, three of which performed very poorly and one which performed excellently. The asphalt mixture on US 175 in Dallas was placed on a cracked stabilized base and did not have a single reflection crack after 10 years in service, whereas the mixtures on two projects were badly cracked after only few months. The results clearly show that the upgraded TTI overlay tester can effectively differentiate between the reflection cracking resistance of different asphalt mixtures. It is also found that the reflection cracking resistance of asphalt mixture has a good correlation with the asphalt binder properties. In this report the upgraded TTI overlay tester is also used to quantify the benefits of modified asphalt binders. This benefit is demonstrated with a single mix where specimens were prepared with a variety of asphalt binders. The mix prepared with PG 64-22 plus 3 percent SBR latex demonstrated superior reflection cracking resistance while still maintaining adequate rutting resistance. It is proposed that the overlay tester is a practical device which can be incorporated into mixture design systems, to complement the current systems, which often focus solely on minimizing rutting potential. In many instances it is necessary to optimize both crack resistance and rutting potential to obtain adequate long-term pavement performance.