Mechanistic Methodology for Airport Pavement Design with Engineering Fabrics. Volume 1. Theoretical and Experimental Bases

摘要

The rapid growth in air transportation volume with the associated increase in payload has let to faster rates of airport pavement deterioration. Overlays using engineering fabrics are often used as a rehabilitation technique. Although it is generally believed that the engineering fabrics will retard reflection cracking, no rational mechanistic design method is yet available that permits the effective use of these fabrics. This report surveys available mechanistic models for reflection cracking as well as geotextile systems. A first generation design program to determine stress patterns in the overlay. A three-dimensional computer program (RISC) is used to estimate existing pavement life. The fatigue cracking resistance of the fabric reinforced overlay system is evaluated by conducting laboratory beam fatigue testing on asphaltic overlays over concrete base. Three types of fabrics, as well as a control with no fabric, were used in the tests. Both thermal and loading fatigue cracking are simulated by applying external vertical and/or horizontal forces to produce joint movements equal to that to the full-scale pavements under field conditions. Results of the laboratory fatigue testing demonstrated the effectiveness of the engineering fabrics in retarding the formation of reflective cracking. furthermore, the comparison of these results with EFRON program analysis indicated the full capability of EFRON to model the laboratory performance and hence its potential to predict the performance of overlays of actual runway.