Assessment of bond between asphalt layers

Asphalt pavements are usually constructed in several layers and most of pavement design and evaluation techniques assume that adjacent asphalt layers are fully bonded together and no displacement is developed between them. However, full bonding is not always achieved and a number of pavement failures have been linked to poor bond condition Theoretical research showed that the distribution of stresses, strains and deflections within the pavement structure is highly influenced by the bond condition between the adjacent layers. Slippage at the interface between the binder course and the base could significantly reduce the life of the overall pavement structure. If slippage occurs within the interface between the surfacing and the binder course, the maximum horizontal tensile strain at the bottom of the surfacing becomes excessive and causing the rapid surfacing failure. This condition becomes worse when a significant horizontal load exists. This thesis is concerned with the assessment of bond between asphalt layers. The main objective of this thesis is to provide guidance for assessing bond between asphalt layers, in order to facilitate the construction of roads with more assurance of achieving the design requirements. Further modification to the modified Leutner test has been performed. An investigation regarding the torque bond test and the effect of trafficking on bond have also been undertaken. A bond database on the modified Leutner test has been developed. An analysis has been performed to estimate the achievable values of bond strengths on typical UK road constructions obtained from the bond database. The values were then compared to the results from an analytical analysis to predict the required bond strength at the interface and other standards in Germany and Switzerland to recommend specification limits of bond strength for UK roads.