Research on Surface and Reflective Crack Propagation and Fatigue Life of Graded Crushed Stone Base Asphalt Pavement

Abstract

Graded crushed stone lying between asphalt layer and semi-rigid layer as stress dissipation layer to reduce semi-rigid material reflective cracking is known as upside-down structure. For studying the effect on anti-cracking of crushed stone base, a finite element analysis model of 20-node isoparametric elements was established by the commercial FEM software ABAQUS on the base of fracture mechanics theory. The surface and reflective crack of asphalt pavement with crushed stone base was numerically analyzed. The two-stage (crack initiate and crack propagation) fatigue life was predicted. The surface and reflective crack propagation life was evaluated by Paris formula. The anti-cracking effect of crushed stone base was validated. The analysis indicates that the structure of graded crushed stone base can enhance the surface and reflective cracking fatigue life of asphalt pavement. When the crushed stone base has a thickness in the range of 15–25cm, the pavement structure has better crack resistance.