THERMAL RIPPLING OF ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENTS (WITH DISCUSSION)

Investigations into the low-temperature response of flexible pavements have identified a phenomenon which is hereby referred to as thermal rippling. This phenomenon develops under temperature differentials between the surface and bottom of the pavement induced by rapid cooling, and causes the asphalt concrete layer to lift from the base course at several locations. The resulting cross-sectional shape of the pavement forms a rippled pattern similar to a sine wave in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. Thermal rippling results in a pavement that is unsupported over part of its length at lower temperatures. Thus, wheel loads on a rippled pavement would induce much greater deflections, strains, and stresses which would increase the pavement's potential for cracking. The pavement's cracking potential is further increased by the fact that thermal stresses are induced during cooling and the asphalt concrete becomes stiffer and more brittle as temperature is reduced. This paper presents the measurements obtained during cooling of two pavement sections to illustrate how thermal rippling occurs. Results of dynamic load tests performed on one pavement section are presented to show directly the effect of this phenomenon on the load response of the pavement. A hypothesis based on the measurements obtained is proposed to explain the mechanism of thermal rippling. Finally, a general discussion is presented on the effect of thermal rippling on pavement performance and on the analytical approaches currently being pursued to model this effect.

• Corporate Authors:

  Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT)

  400 Selby Avenue, Suite I
  St Paul, MN  United States  55102
• Authors:
  • Roque, R
  • Hardee, H K
  • Ruth, B E
• Conference:
  • Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists Proc
• Publication Date: 1988

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 464-483
• Serial:
  • Volume: 57

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt concrete; Cooling; Deflection; Flexible pavements; Hypothesis testing; Load tests; Low temperature; Machines; Mathematical models; Pavement cracking; Pavement performance; Pavements; Strain (Mechanics); Stresses; Test sections
• Uncontrolled Terms: Analytical models; Hypothesis
• Old TRIS Terms: Mechanisms; Pavement deflection; Strains; Thermal rippling
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Design; Highways; Materials; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00749909
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 5 1998 12:00AM