EVALUATION OF PAVEMENT OVERLAY DESIGN TEST SECTIONS

The performance was studied and the rate of carck development (reflective or non-reflective) was determined of 38 subsections having differnet overlay design features. This study which started in 1968 and covered 70 lane miles, revealed a relationship between transverse cracking and pavement thickness. The thicker the pavement, the better the performance; pavements between 4 1/2 and 5 1/4 in. in thickness appear to be the most exonomical. Pavement treatments used prior to paving were also compared. The observations made are tabulated. Pavement of 1 3/4 in thickness shows a higher cracking in the travel lane. In three of 34 test sections the amount of cracking on the travel lane was higher than in the passing lane and all of these were 3 1/4 inch pavements. Travel lanes on the 4 1/4 in. and 5 1/4 in. pavement thicknesses (which normally carry more traffic) have lower cracking than the passing lanes. Cold temperatures have been indentified as one of the major factors contributing to the development of transverse cracks. Better performance has been noted when stone chips and 180/200 penetration asphalt is placed on the pavement surface along with the treatment AE-90 emulsion under the wearing course. Data revelas that the total length of transverse reflection cracks was 10 percent greater in the passing lane than in the travel lane. Sections having a 1 3/4 inch overlap show more transverse cracking in the travel lane than in the passing lane. Three different construction methods were used: a) construction completed in one season; b) base or binder course in one year with the wearing course the following year; c) base or binder course placed one year with another base or binder course and wearing course placed the following year.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Study completed in cooperation with FHWA.
• Corporate Authors:

  Maine Department of Transportation

  Materials and Research Division, Box 1208, Hogan Road
  Bangor, ME  United States  04402
• Authors:
  • Day, P B
• Publication Date: 1975-8-31

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 48 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Chippings; Emulsions; Evaluation; Passing; Pavement design; Pavement overlays; Pavement performance; Pavements; Penetration macadam; Reflection cracking; Stone; Surface treating; Temperature; Test sections; Thickness; Traffic lanes; Transverse cracking
• Uncontrolled Terms: Pavement thickness
• Old TRIS Terms: Chips; Travelway
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00127665
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: #75-7 Tech Paper
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 10 1976 12:00AM