Test methods and influential factors for analysis of bonding between bituminous pavement layers

Abstract

The durability and maintenance of pavements depend on several factors. One of the most influential is the bond between layers. This bond is responsible for ensuring all layers behave as a single entity, reducing cracks and deformation of the pavement. Several methods, developed by different authors over the past 30 years, to measure bonding between layers are analyzed in this paper. Different research lines are discussed, concluding that the most influential variables are: tack coat type, dosage, mixture type, surface characteristics, temperature, and emulsion breaking time. In order to reach the highest bond strength values, the following factors should be considered: high values of surface macro-texture, low temperatures, the use of heat-adhesive emulsion, a dosage from 300 to 450 g/m2 of residual bitumen and the compaction after emulsion break. Moreover, a non-destructive test method to assess tack coat dosage on site is proposed.

Development of an estimative model for the optimal tack coat dosage based on aggregate gradation of hot mix asphalt pavements

“…It is well known that bonding between layers depends on several factors [1,5,14,15]. One of the most studied factors is the applied binder dosage.…”

Bonding Evaluation of Asphalt Emulsions used as Tack Coats through Shear Testing

“…Finally, a study of adhesion using the LCB (Laboratorio de Caminos de Barcelona) shear test was performed by Cruz Romero [14] to characterize adhesion in ultra-thin whitetopping reinforcements, while Delbono [15] and Delbono, Fensel and Cepeda [9] analyzed the adhesion of an asphalt concrete-geosynthetic interface. Based on previous works, reducing those structural conditions [16,17] affirmed that one of the most influential factors in the service life and maintenance of pavements was appropriate bonding between layers, which is obtained by the correct application and surveillance of asphalt emulsion procedures during road construction. This process allows the pavement to act as one element to properly distribute strains, thus reducing the presence of cracks and deformations.…”

The Influence of Bonding between Layers on Pavement Performance, a Case Study of Malaysian Road

“…However, one of the main factors contributed to the pavement failures is poor interlayer bonding between the pavement structures. Based on many research that has been conducted in the past, the interlayer bond is responsible for ensuring all layers to behave as a single entity, thus reducing cracks and deformation of the pavement [1]. In most pavement design, the pavement layers are usually assumed to be fully bonded together and no displacement is developed between them.…”