INVESTIGATION OF CAUSES OF BLISTERING OF ASPHALT LAYERS. FINAL REPORT

The objective of this research was to identify causes and mechanisms which may contribute to the formation of blisters on asphalt concrete overlays through information gathering and synthesizing. The major cause of blistering was found to be the thermal expansion of entrapped gas and water beneath the unbonded areas between the thin asphalt overlay and the subsurface. An analytical blister model was developed based on the fracture mechanics concept. Analytical solutions of the deformed profile and critical pressure for the onset of adhesive bond failure were obtained.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Georgia, Experiment

  Georgia Experiment Station
  Experiment, GA  United States 

  Georgia Department of Transportation

  One Georgia Center
  600 West Peachtree Street, NW
  Atlanta, GA  United States  30308

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Lai, J S
• Publication Date: 1987-9

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 52 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adhesion; Asphalt concrete; Blistering; Entrapped air; Failure; Fracture mechanics; Mathematical models; Overlays (Pavements); Thermal expansion; Water
• Uncontrolled Terms: Causes
• Old TRIS Terms: Adhesive bond; Unbonded areas
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00470950
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-GA-88-8508, RP 8508
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 31 1988 12:00AM