Thermal cracking of asphalt concrete pavements is responsible for millions
of dollars in annual maintenance and rehabilitation costs in the United States and
Canada. Thermal cracking is typically associated with low temperatures in
northern climates and at high elevations. However, another form of thermal
cracking, known as thermal fatigue cracking, has been proposed by several
researchers as a potential mode of distress in regions with relatively moderate
climates but significant differences in high and low daily temperatures.
The primary purpose of the research reported herein was to evaluate the
possibility of occurrence of the thermal fatigue cracking mode of distress. A
secondary objective was to identify a suitable laboratory test procedure to facilitate
a mechanistic analysis of the thermal fatigue mode of distress. In light of these
objectives, several laboratory test procedures were evaluated in the bituminous
materials laboratory at Oregon State University (OSU). The test procedures
evaluated included the phenomenological Thermal Stress Restrained Specimen Test
(TSRST), the Energy Rate Integral Test (ERIT), the Direct Tension Test under
constant rate of extension (DTT), and the Direct Tensile Creep Test (DTCT). The
TSRST results were used to evaluate the possibility of occurrence of the thermal
fatigue mode of distress. The ERIT, DTT, and DTCT procedures were evaluated
with respect to the identification of a suitable laboratory test procedure to facilitate
a mechanistic analysis of thermal fatigue.
The results from the laboratory test program indicate that thermal fatigue
distress in asphalt concrete mixtures is not a viable mode of distress in the absence
of environmental aging. Based on the data presented herein and the results of
previous researchers, it is evident that distress often attributed to thermal fatigue
cracking is more likely the result of low temperature cracking of environmentally
aged mixtures, and/or subgrade-related distress; fatigue distress due to thermal
loading of semi-restrained pavements does not occur. / Graduation date: 1993
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/36818 |
| Date | 17 June 1992 |
| Creators | Jackson, N. Mike (Nathaniel Michael) |
| Contributors | Vinson, Ted S. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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