THERMAL CRACKING OF ASPHALT PAVEMENT.

Thermal cracking of asphalt pavement is a common form of deterioration on Canadian roads. The cracks are weak zones where water seeps into and damages the road structure. The cracks are the starting point for other forms of deterioration as well. To improve the knowledge of this phenomenon, a research project was done based on data from different test sections built in Canada in the last 20 years. Temperature of asphalt pavement is a very influential criterion for thermal cracking. Therefore, a study of temperature in asphalt pavement based on air temperature was done and a prediction model was developed. The asphalt used in asphalt pavement is another major concern for thermal cracking. Asphalt binder temperature susceptibility criteria were also thoroughly studied. Other criteria identified in the literature review were also analysed and used to the produce a prediction model of the rate of thermal cracking of asphalt pavement. This model has been adjusted to the results obtained from field data.