Laboratory cracking and interlayer bond strength performance characterization of full-scale accelerated geosynthetic reinforced asphalt concrete

This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of geosynthetic reinforced asphalt pavements through full-scale and laboratory testing. The study also investigated the field cracking performance of geosynthetic test sections under accelerated loading and validated with the laboratory cracking performance results. Three sections were constructed including: control, geogrid and geosynthetic reinforced AC. After applying the accelerated loading, cores and slabs were extracted from the wheel path (W) and outside of the wheel path (OW) to evaluate the impact of accelerated loading on cracking performance of AC. The laboratory cracking performance and shear bond strength were assessed using Indirect Tension Asphalt Cracking Test (IDEAL-CT), Interlayer Shear bond Strength (ISS), Bending beam Fatigue (BBF), and Texas overlay tests. Additionally, strain response on top of pre-existing notch was also analyzed from the accelerated test sections to monitor field cracking potential of reinforced AC and to validate it with laboratory cracking performance. According to the BFF, OT and ISS results, the W AC showed degraded performance compared to OW AC, however, IDEAL-CT test results mentioned that W AC showed better cracking performance compared to OW AC. Overall, geosynthetic reinforced AC showed better laboratory cracking performance and lower shear bond strength. At full-scale section, higher tensile strains were registered indicating that geosynthetic reinforcement can undergo potentially larger displacement without failing in the pre-existing crack area. Both laboratory and field test results compliment the findings of each other.