Downscaled Accelerated Trafficking of Novel Asphalt Joints Based on the Induction Heating Technology

Abstract

Longitudinal joints are discontinuities in the asphalt pavement structures, often missing good interlock between the aggregates, strong binder adhesion and sufficient treatment of the joint during construction with bonding agents. Furthermore, the density of the asphalt near the joint is generally lower than in the rest of the pavement. Therefore, joints are usually the weakest location in the structure and the effect of traffic loading and environment can cause premature failure at these locations. This study evaluates the durability of a novel type of joints constructed with induction heating using asphalt concrete with metallic additives. Previous laboratory tests suggest that these types of joints could outperform traditional construction methods. Four slabs with artificial longitudinal joints were prepared in the laboratory and loaded until failure with the downscaled model mobile load simulator MMLS3. In two of these slabs, the joints were built without any treatment and with a self-adhesive tape, accounting for standard joint construction procedures. In the other two slabs, metallic additives were locally added to the asphalt mixture close to the each joint and induction heating was used for improving the interlock and bond between the neighboring sides. For trafficking, the MMLS3 was placed on the slabs, such that footprint of the tires was just beside each joint. A comparative analysis of the fatigue performance of the different slabs shows that the novel designs could last two to six times longer than traditional joints.