Experimental System for Simulating Crack Propagation in Asphalt Pavements and Effectiveness of Geosynthetics in Crack Retardation

摘要

This paper presents the pneumatic moving wheel experimental system and its usefulness in simulating the role of geosynthetic s (geogrids) in limiting crack propagation. The simulatanous development of rutting through the experiment was studied as well. The performance of the developed loading system showed that: (1) the moving wheel loading device provides a compact, convenient, simple, and rational experimental tool for investigating the effect of pneumatic wheel loading on the mechanical dynamic behavior of asphaltic layers; (2) two of the failure modes of asphaltic pavements, fatigue cracking and permanent deformation, could be assessed and measured simutaneously; and (3) the relative effect of geosynthetic reinforcement on the retardation of thedevelopment of the above distresses during service life was successfully measured to verify quantitatively the contribution of interlayer reinforcement toward the reduction of permanent deformation (rutting) and the increase of asphaltic surface laeyr life by retarding crack propagation.