Effects of an Asphalt Rubber Membrane Interlayer on Pavement Reflective Cracking Performance

When hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlays are placed on distressed flexible or rigid pavement, it is only a matter of time before cracks in existing pavement reflect to the new overlay surface. Asphalt rubber membrane interlayer (ARMI) is one type of interlayer system that has been suggested to mitigate reflective cracking in HMA overlay. However, in terms of reflective cracking performance, mixed results were reported. Also, the ARMI layer has the potential to contribute to instability rutting. In this study, composite specimen interface cracking (CSIC) tests were performed on composite specimens constructed with and without the ARMI layer to evaluate its effects on HMA overlay reflective cracking performance. HMA fracture mechanics was employed to characterize the mechanism of ARMI layer effects on HMA overlay reflective cracking resistance. Results indicate that ARMI not only cannot delay reflective cracking, but it also reduces reflective cracking resistance to some extent. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.