Cost Effective Prevention of Reflective Cracking of Composite Pavement

Louisiana has experimented with various techniques and treatments to control reflective cracking since the 1970s. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare different reflective cracking control treatments by evaluating the performance, constructability, and cost-effectiveness of pavements built with these treatments across the state. To achieve this objective, a survey of current state practices identified the treatment methods that are used or that had been used to delay and mitigate reflective cracking in composite pavements. Based on this survey and a thorough review of Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) databases, pavement sections built with reflective crack control treatment methods were identified. Projects with sufficient years in service and with available untreated segments were selected for detailed performance and economic evaluation. In total, the performance of 50 different sites that were constructed with various treatments was evaluated for a period ranging from 4 to 18 years. Among various treatments that were analyzed, saw and seal, and chip seal as a crack relief interlayer showed the most promising results in terms of performance and economic worthiness. The cost effectiveness of fiber-glass grid was not validated as compared to regular hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlays. Stress absorbing membrane interlayer and high strain asphalt crack relief interlayer (STRATA®) showed mixed results in terms of performance. In addition, there was an insufficient number of projects for paving fabrics to allow for drawing conclusions on the cost-effectiveness of this treatment method.

• Record URL:
  http://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/pdf/2011/fr_478.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  http://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/pdf/2011/ts_478.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/23332
• Corporate Authors:

  Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70803

  Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

  1201 Capitol Access Road, P.O. Box 94245
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70804-9245

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Elseifi, Mostafa
  • Bandaru, Rakesh
• Publication Date: 2011-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 128p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Chip seals; Composite pavements; Fabrics; Pavement design; Pavement performance; Reflection cracking
• Uncontrolled Terms: Interlayers (Pavements); Sawcut and seal technique; Stress absorbing membrane interlayers
• Geographic Terms: Louisiana
• Subject Areas: Construction; Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces; I52: Construction of Pavements and Surfacings;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01356710
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/LA.11/478
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Nov 3 2011 10:38AM