Whilst the performance of thick asphalt pavements has been widely reported overseas, only limited investigation has been undertaken in Victoria to determine how thick asphalt pavements constructed in Melbourne since the 1970s are performing and the types of distress they are exhibiting. The aim of this project was to investigate top-down cracking of these predominantly asphalt pavements, to determine whether current VicRoads rehabilitation practices are cost-effective in treating this particular form of distress, and if required develop alternative strategies. The project included a review of literature relating to the top-down cracking distress mechanism and long-life pavements, investigation and testing of locations where it was occurring on pavements in the Melbourne metropolitan area and an identification of treatments undertaken at the locations. This could, in turn, facilitate a simple assessment of whether these pavements could be considered long-life. Also, the project included a review of international trends and innovations in the design, construction and materials used for rehabilitating existing pavements exhibiting relevant distress. Finally, the project included a rudimentary case study evaluating the likely cost-effectiveness of constructing long-life pavements in a freeway scenario in Melbourne. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. 0612AR242E.
Samenvatting