Blistering of Asphalt Pavement Overlay on Runway 14-32 at MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station), Beaufort, South Carolina

摘要

The objectives of this investigation were to determine the primary cause of the blistering of the 1-1/2-inch AC overlay on Runway 14-32, Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C., and to recommend a repair alternative for the pavement. Pavement temperature profiles and blister surface elevation changes were measured in field tests. Samples of the blister gas and of the overlay were evaluated in laboratory tests. The test results led to the conclusion that the blister behavior is diurnal in nature and is caused by thermodynamic effects on the air and water vapor trapped at the overlay-substrate interface where disbonding is present. Because of the presence of these disbonded areas and the possibility of blisters forming even with an additional overlay, it is recommended that the present overlay be removed and replaced in accordance with standard pavement overlay construction practice. Keywords: Computations; Finite element analysis; Charts; Table (data). (Author).