Analysis on the Expansion of Surface Crack in Asphalt Pavement

Abstract

The relationship between surface crack tip stress intensity factor and calculated parameters of pavement structure is discussed and finite element models based on the fracture mechanics theory is created. From the study in this paper, the following conclusions can be drawn: As the load increases, stress intensity factor will decrease, and it may promote spread of the crack. Surface layer modulus has a great influence on stress intensity factor. In the condition of the same crack depth, stress intensity factor increases while surface layer modulus increases, stress intensity factor decreases gradually while the thickness of the surface layer increases. As base layer modulus increasing, stress intensity factor of surface layer decreases. With the increase of the modulus of subbase layer, stress intensity factor of surface layer decreases gradually. The earthen foundation module has a little big influence. With the increase of the earthen foundation module, stress intensity factor will decrease, so it can delay the appearance of the crack.