Mitigation of tenting of transverse cracks and joints in asphalt pavement

Summary

Transverse cracking, a primary distress in cold-climate asphalt pavements, can lead to tenting, an upward distortion caused by ice formation in the base layer and at the interface of the surface and base layers. This research investigated pavement treatment efficacy and core tenting mechanisms through field measurements in six selected roads in Minnesota and through laboratory testing of base layer materials. A critical outcome was the development of the Coarse Void/Fine Void (CV/FV) index to predict frost susceptibility. Results indicated that the distribution of voids was a more significant predictor than fine content alone. A CV/FV index below 0.88 was found to lower tenting potential. Furthermore, the study identified micro-surfacing as an effective treatment for mitigating roughness on Bituminous over Aggregate Base (BAB) and Bituminous over Bituminous (BOB) pavements. The project concluded with the creation of three decision trees, offering engineers a practical framework for selecting base materials and maintenance strategies to enhance pavement longevity in frost-prone regions.