Peridynamics for Fracture Analysis of Reflective Cracks in Semi-Rigid Base Asphalt Pavement

Abstract

Reflective cracking is one of the major forms of deterioration in semi-rigid base asphalt pavements. It is, therefore, very important to have a correct understanding of the internal crack propagation mechanism of asphalt pavement to propose the most effective remedial solution(s), which corresponds to that mode of failure. In this study, two-dimensional asphalt pavement layered models are first established by modifying the peridynamics theory. Then, the influence of asphalt overlay thickness and load form on reflective crack propagation is explored. On this basis, the influence of friction between the tire and road surface on reflective crack propagation is analyzed. The results show that increasing the thickness of the asphalt overlay can inhibit reflective crack propagation, and the friction force accelerates reflective crack propagation when the direction of friction is the same as that of reflective crack propagation; otherwise, it inhibits reflective crack propagation. Additionally, the most unfavorable load position is the asymmetrical load when the vehicle is far from the reflective crack.