Towards A better understanding of crack propagation in asphalt pavements with reinforcement grids (using laboratory-scaled traffic load and interlayer shear test)

Reinforcement of asphalt pavements with grids is widely accepted for preventing reflective cracking and prolonging the service life of asphalt pavements. However, there is still no consensus about test methods that provide reliable information how different grids affect the bonding performance between layers and the mechanism how reinforcement prolongs the pavement's lifespan. This paper investigates the influence of reinforcement grids on the performance of asphalt pavements in the laboratory, considering the influence of grids on reflective cracking and interlayer bond strength. This work is based on the digital imaging correlation technique (DIC) studying the horizontal interlayer debonding and vertical crack growth under repeated loading with a laboratory-scaled traffic simulator. The investigation was conducted on four different reinforced asphalt slabs and a reference. The study revealed that the use of a traffic simulator in combination with the DIC-based methodology serves as a valuable tool for better understanding the crack propagation mechanisms in grid-reinforced asphalt pavement systems.