ABSTRACT
Abstract This paper deals with the results of an evaluation of different sites in Belgium where interface systems were used for the prevention of reflective cracking. The selected projects, either surveyed at the time of realisation and/or evaluated afterwards, concern asphaltic overlays on cement concrete slabs, where steel reinforcement nettings, grids and nonwoven textiles impregnated with modified bitumen were used. For some projects, measurements were performed of the vertical movements at the edges of the cement concrete slabs. The survey of the realisation of these projects led to recommendations concerning the laying procedures of the different types of interface systems. These were implemented in the new Flemish standard tender specifications. They are briefly described in this paper. The results of the visual inspections of some projects are reported. They give insight in the reasons of failure of certain projects and the effectiveness of the used techniques. Keywords: Reflective cracking, laying procedures, evaluation, cement concrete slabs
1 Introduction
Road works are nowadays increasingly carried out to rehabilitate the existing network. Repairing cracked road surfaces by merely applying an additional layer of asphalt is rarely a lasting solution. Deficiencies in the old pavement are very rapidly reflected at the surface as a result of the combined effects of thermally induced stresses and traffic loading.
