Mechanistic Analysis and Economic Benefits of Fiber-Reinforced Asphalt Mixtures

Fatigue cracking and permanent deformation (rutting) are major distresses that occur in flexible pavements. Four-point bending beam as well as flow number laboratory tests have been used for several decades to evaluate the long-term fatigue and rutting resistance for asphalt mixture, respectively. One of the most significant solutions to prolong the fatigue life as well as rutting resistance for an asphaltic mixture is to utilize flexible materials such as fibers. A laboratory testing program was performed on a conventional and fiber-reinforced mixtures to investigate the impact of added fibers on the mechanical, mechanistic, and economical attributes of asphaltic mixtures. Strain controlled fatigue tests were conducted according to American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) procedures. The results from the beam fatigue tests indicated that the fiber-reinforced mixtures would have much longer fatigue and rutting resistance life compared with the reference (conventional) mixtures. Additionally, a mechanistic analysis using 3D-Move software coupled with a cost-effectiveness analysis study based on the fatigue and rutting resistance performance of the two mixtures was performed. Overall, analysis showed that fiber-reinforced asphalt mixtures exhibited significantly lower cost of pavement per 1000 cycles of fatigue and rutting life per mile compared to conventional hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixture.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFK30 Standing Committee on Non-Binder Components of Asphalt Mixtures.
• Authors:
  • Tripathi, Ashish
  • Souliman, Mena I
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2018-1-7 to 2018-1-11
• Date: 2018

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 21p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt mixtures; Cost effectiveness; Fatigue cracking; Fatigue tests; Rutting
• Identifier Terms: 3D-Move (Computer model)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fatigue life; Fiber reinforced asphalt concrete; Fiber reinforcement; Rut resistance
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01662661
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 18-00171
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 13 2018 12:30PM