MECHANISMS OF SURFACE-INITIATED LONGITUDINAL WHEEL PATH CRACKS IN HIGH-TYPE BITUMINOUS PAVEMENTS

The primary objectives of this research effort were: (1) To better describe the characteristics of surface-initiated longitudinal wheel path cracking by investigating pavements in the field that have exhibited this mode of distress. (2) To investigate changes in tire and loading characteristics over time that might help to explain the prevalence of this mode of failure. (3) To obtain measured tire-pavement contact stresses for a standard radial truck tire and to conduct stress analyses to determine their effect on near-surface stresses. (4) To more clearly identify potential mechanisms of surface-initiated longitudinal wheel path cracking in asphalt pavements. (5) To evaluate the relative effects of different factors such as asphalt mixture properties, pavement structural characteristics, tire effects and temperature on this mode of failure.