Application of the wheel reflective cracking test for assessing geosynthetics in anti-reflection pavement cracking systems

摘要

ABSTRACT: The reflective cracking phenomenon occurs when joints and cracks in a pavementnthat is generally made of concrete or cement-treated layers propagate up through the asphaltnoverlay and appear on the pavement surface. These cracks allow water to enter and cause thenpavement deterioration process to accelerate, thereby increasing maintenance costs. The wheelnreflective cracking (WRC) test permits the crack reflection strength of asphalt overlays and anti-nreflection systems incorporating an asphalt-impregnated geotextile to be assessed. The test apparatusnsimultaneously applies the tensile, flexural and shear stresses in the vicinity of the pavement crack.nThis article describes the WRC test, and reports on a statistical study of the results obtained usingndifferent asphalt overlays and anti-reflection crack systems with and without reinforcingngeosynthetic products. Each anticrack solution is analysed according to two criteria: (1) time tonfailure; and (2) the configuration of the cracked area after specimen failure. This second criterionnis of practical concern, because it is related to the expected rate of deterioration of the crackednarea in a field pavement and the level of difficulty in remediating the cracking as part of roadnmaintenance.