Date Approved

6-19-2020

Embargo Period

6-22-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

College

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering

Advisor

Mehta, Yusuf

Committee Member 1

Zhu, Cheng

Committee Member 2

Cleary, Douglas

Keywords

Cracking Performance, Fiber, Microsurfacing, Polymer, Semi-Circular Bend Test, Texas Overlay Tester

Subject(s)

Road materials--Testing

Disciplines

Civil and Environmental Engineering | Construction Engineering and Management | Geotechnical Engineering

Abstract

This study presents a method to improve and evaluate the cracking resistance of microsurfacing mixtures using common asphalt laboratory testing. A preliminary optimal timing study and a study to evaluate improvements to cracking performance were conducted. The control mixture was based on NJDOT standard mix design specifications. Three mixtures were tested in this study: a fiber reinforced mixture using one-quarter inch glass fibers, an emulsion with increased SBR (polymer) contents, and a mixture using the one-quarter inch glass fibers combined with the increased polymer contents. Three laboratory tests were used to evaluate three different cracking resistance parameters: crack initiation (Semi-Circular Bend Test at intermediate temperatures), reflective cracking (Texas Overlay Tester), and low temperature cracking (Semi-Circular Bend Test at low temperatures). The test results suggest the tests were able to differentiate between mixtures. The results of the SCB testing and the Texas Overlay Tester suggest that mixtures with higher polymer content and higher polymer content with fibers enhanced crack initiation and propagation characteristics when compared to a control. SCB testing at low temperatures show that the presence of higher polymer content and fiber reinforcement increase resistance to crack initiation. The results suggest high polymer contents played a significant role in the improvements to crack resistance.

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