Reflective cracking reduction by a comparison between modifying asphalt overlay and sand asphalt interlayer: an experimental evaluation

ABSTRACT

Reflective cracking is a frequent type of distress in asphalt concrete (AC) pavements that decreases pavement service life in a newly constructed AC overlay. In this study, natural zeolite and hydrated lime were added to crumb rubber modified (CRM) asphalt binder in order to assess their effects on reducing propagation of reflective cracks in composite pavements. CRM asphalt binder containing these additives was used in both AC overlay and sand asphalt interlayer to investigate crack propagation in the composite specimen under dynamic cyclic loading. The results show that asphalt interlayer modification is more effective than AC overlay modification (using CRM binders containing additives) in controlling reflective cracks. In other words, sand asphalt interlayer modification is more capable of absorbing the energy of crack propagation and, consequently, delaying the crack propagation. The results also indicated that simultaneous modification of both the interlayer and overlay significantly decreases reflective cracking potential. With respect to the significant role of additive type in crack propagation delaying, the results show that CRM binders containing natural zeolite are more efficient in crack mitigation compared to CRM binders containing hydrated lime.

KEYWORDS:

• Composite pavement
• modified asphalt binder
• sand asphalt interlayer
• asphalt concrete overlay
• reflective cracking

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.