Critical review on the bond strength of geosynthetic interlayer systems in asphalt overlays

Abstract

Asphalt pavements are layered structures designed to carry road traffic loads for a designed time period. The performance of this layered structure depends upon the bond interaction between the layers. Improper design due to the wrong interpretation of factors influencing the performance of pavements results in the development of distresses. The most common rehabilitation technique against these distresses is the placement of overlays. These overlays may suffer from a distress phenomenon called reflective cracking. The propagation of the cracks in the existing pavement onto and through the new overlay results in reflective cracking. Many interlayer systems are introduced to mitigate the effect of reflection cracking, out of which geosynthetic interlayer systems are gaining attention due to its ease of installation and cost effectiveness. The performance of the interlayer system depends upon the bonding with the existing layer as well as with the overlay. This paper focuses to study the different type of bond test methods based on the stresses developed at the interface and to evaluate the factors that influence the bonding due to the presence of the geosynthetic interlayer in the performance of asphaltic pavement.