The problem of reflection cracking through asphalt overlays can be approached from the design perspective of the factors or mechanisms involved, the alternative treatments available, and the analyses and testing required to evaluate the treatments. Then, a selection of the best alternative, provided it satisfies economic criteria, canbe made and implemented. This paper concentrates on evaluation and first illustrates how an analytical method, based on a wide-crack band theory in finite element formulation, can effectively be used forthe first step of the process. Then, it illustrates how the most promising alternative treatments can be experimentally evaluated. Testprocedures and example results are used for this purpose, and relationships between induced stress, or strain energy, and cycles to failure are presented. Selection, installation, and follow-up considerations are briefly discussed. It is pointed out that even with the most technically and economically feasible alternative, proper laydownand construction are important to realizing success. Follow-up monitoring would primarily involve periodic crack surveys. The major conclusions of the paper are that both analytical and experimental evaluations should be performed to screen potential crack reflection treatments, and that proper construction is essential after the best treatment has been selected. This paper appears in transportation research record no. 1215, Pavement management and rehabilitation.
Abstract