Determining the residual service life of polymer-modified asphalt concrete pavement on road bridges

Abstract

The object of research is the asphalt pavement of road bridges. Its residual period was assessed taking into account the joint effect of the ambient temperature and vehicles. It has been established that a set of negative factors affects the reduction of the service life (residual resource) of asphalt pavement on bridges. These include different modulus of elasticity of reinforced concrete base and asphalt pavement and the difference in coefficients of linear thermal expansion. As well as loads from the wheels of vehicles, temperature fluctuations, alternating freezing-thawing of water in pores and damaged places. It was found that one of the reasons for reducing the residual life of asphalt pavement on reinforced concrete road bridges is the insufficient study and use of polymers in order to adjust the properties of asphalt concrete. Taking into account the joint influence of temperature and transport in assessing the crack resistance of asphalt pavement on reinforced concrete road bridges would allow a more objective assessment of the residual life of such coatings and their service life. Arrangement of asphalt pavement with improved properties, due to polymeric latex, could increase its residual life. This, in turn, would lead to a reduction in costs for the repair and maintenance of not only asphalt pavement but also the road bridge as a whole