Novel Use of Geosynthetic Reinforced Chip Seal in Asphalt Pavements: Fid-Bau Portal

Novel Use of Geosynthetic Reinforced Chip Seal in Asphalt Pavements

Mallick, Rajib B. / Sivakumar Babu, G. L.

Abstract High temperature causes a number of problems including rutting and premature aging/cracking in asphalt pavements. The high temperature results primarily from high absorptivity and low conductivity of the asphalt binder and the hot mix asphalt (HMA). This paper presents a novel approach of utilizing geosynthetic reinforced chip seal (GRCS) with high reflectivity (reflectivity greater than 0.2) aggregates to reduce the amount of heat that is absorbed at the surface and the heat that is conducted to the lower layers. Results of small scale and full scale tests as well as finite element analyses are presented. The results show that GRCS is highly effective in reducing pavement temperatures at different depths, specifically, at a depth of 12.5 mm below the surface, which corresponds with the depth of maximum temperature for most asphalt pavements. The GRCS section used in the full scale test shows a reduction of 8 °C, compared to a conventional HMA section. Mechanistic-empirical analysis shows that for such a reduction, an extension of pavement life by 8 years is achievable. It is recommended that GRCS section be constructed along with conventional HMA section, and trafficked, for evaluation of life cycle cost benefits.