Improvement of Cracking Resistance for the Semi-Rigid Base Layer Reinforced by Geogrid

Abstract

Reinforcement using an interlayer system appears nowadays as one of the techniques which is commonly used in asphalt pavement construction to improve its performances, extend its projected service life and reduce its structural cross section. Among a large number of existing interlayer systems, the geogrid has shown an effective use in pavement reinforcement with hot mix asphalt overlay. This article aims to research the mechanism leading to the spread of reflective crack and the anti-cracking effect of geogrid in semi-rigid pavement. The 3D finite element modeling package (ANSYS) has been used as tool to analyze the mechanical response of pavement model unreinforced and reinforced with different numbers of geogrid placed at different positions in the base layer under the influence of axle load. The results obtained from the finite element analysis have shown that, the use of geogrid in the semi-rigid base aids to reduce the stresses and strains both at the bottom of asphalt and base layer.

Keywords: Reinforcement, Asphalt pavement, geogrid, Reflective crack, Anti-cracking effect.