Evaluation of Crack Resistance Performance of Semi-Flexible Pavement Materials

Semi-flexible pavement (SFP) materials have garnered extensive application and research attention owing to their exceptional deformation resistance. The crack resistance of SFP materials constitutes a critical aspect of their road performance. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the crack resistance of SFP materials through material characterization and structural mechanical response evaluation. To assess the cracking behavior of SFP materials across the entire temperature spectrum, three experimental methodologies were employed: low-temperature flexural tensile testing, indirect tensile testing, and semi-circular bending tensile testing. Experimental findings reveal that SFP materials exhibit superior crack resistance compared to SMA-13 under ambient and elevated temperature conditions, while demonstrating inferior performance relative to SMA-13 in low-temperature environments. Through a comparative analysis of structural mechanical responses between SMA-13 and SFP pavements, it was determined that the implementation of a single-layer SFP material can reduce pavement tensile strain by 30-50%. This investigation provides comprehensive insights into the crack resistance characteristics of SFP materials and offers valuable guidance for material selection in pavement structural design.