USE OF GEOTEXTILES FOR REINFORCEMENT AND STRAIN RELIEF IN ASPHALT CONCRETE

This paper describes the three uses of geotextiles in asphaltic concrete overlays: (a) reinforcing (b) strain relief and (c) undersealing. Reflection cracking through overlays is caused by both loads and thermal contraction, and cracks may be retarded or arrested by geotextiles if the proper material properties are selected and good construction techniques are used. Prediction of crack growth is made with fracture mechanics and this is the basis of an overlay design computer program which is described herein. Fracture properties of asphaltic concrete under fatigue loading and thermal contraction conditions are presented and the way they are altered by the addition of geotextiles is illustrated. The design equations for the thickness of an overlay with a reinforcing grid are also given. Some cautionary rules of thumb, concerning the appropriate pavement conditions when geotextiles may be expected to prolong the life of an overlay and when they may not, are also given.(a)

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  • Corporate Authors:

    Elsevier Science Publishers

    Crown House, Linton Road
    Barking, Essex IG11 8JU,   England 
  • Authors:
    • Lytton, R L
  • Publication Date: 1989

Language

  • English

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00498671
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
  • Files: ITRD, TRIS
  • Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM