THE EFFECT OF AC OVERLAYS ON D-CRACKING IN PCC PAVEMENTS

Durability cracking (D-cracking) is the progressive deterioration of portland cement concrete (PCC) and is normally caused by winter freeze-thaw cycling. The PCC coarse aggregate source has been identified as causing well-designed mixes to develop D-cracking. A common rehabilitation procedure for D-cracked PCC pavements is to overlay the PCC with asphalt concrete (AC). This renews the surface, but little is known about the long-term effect of AC overlays on D-cracked pavements. The primary climatic factors responsible for D-cracking are moisture and temperature. Finite-difference transient flow computer moisture movement modeling as well as field instrumentation and laboratory measurements indicate that AC overlays have a negligible effect on the PCC pavement moisture regime. The effect of AC overlays on the PCC temperature regime was evaluated by finite-difference heat transfer computer modeling. AC overlays were found to decrease the number of freeze-thaw cycles and the rate of cooling in PCC pavements. Laboratory freeze-thaw durability tests duplicating field conditions for Interstate 70 near Vandalia, Illinois, were conducted on PCC samples with AC overlays 0 to 6 in. thick. All the PCC samples cycled to the equivalent of 5 years of winter exposure showed strength loss as determined by split tensile tests. The samples with 4-in. overlays showed the most strength loss. It was concluded that AC overlays do not prevent the progression of D-cracking in PCC; instead some overlay thicknesses accelerate it. When AC overlays are designed for D-cracked PCC pavements, the effect of decreasing strength of the deteriorating PCC should be considered.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1986/1062/1062-011.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=THE+EFFECT+OF+AC+OVERLAYS+ON+D-CRACKING+IN+PCC+PAVEMENTS&author=D.+Janssen&author=B.+Dempsey&publication_year=1986
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Performance of Concrete. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Janssen, Donald J
  • Dempsey, Barry J
• Publication Date: 1986

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 70-75
• Monograph Title: Roller-compacted concrete pavements and concrete construction
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1062
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt concrete; Concrete pavements; Cooling; D cracking; Finite differences; Freeze thaw durability; Freezing; Laboratory tests; Moisture content; Motion; Overlays (Pavements); Portland cement concrete; Simulation; Tensile strength; Thaw; Thickness
• Uncontrolled Terms: Freeze thaw cycles; Moisture movement
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00474310
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309040566
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Oct 31 1987 12:00AM