reinforced asphalt
reinforced asphalt
(OP)
Would placing reinforcing mesh in asphalt adjacent to expansion joint, as shown in attached sketch, help to limit asphalt crack width? This pertains to buried expansion joints...buried to protect the expansion joint seal from snow plough damage (I am aware of a number of proprietary joint systems as well as plate over procedures that are intended to protect from snow plough damage, but my inspection of a number of garages indicates they are not always successful...depends I suppose on how hard the plough driver goes at it). So the buried joint as shown seems to protect the joint seal against damage, but always results in ugly cracking of the asphalt, so I wonder what your thoughts are on reinforcing the asphalt as shown in the attached.






RE: reinforced asphalt
I don't have any direct experience, but the maker of GlasGrid, a fiberglass mesh reinforcement for HMA, says it will help control cracking from horizontal movement, but not vertical movement.
RE: reinforced asphalt
RE: reinforced asphalt
RE: reinforced asphalt
Thanks to all three of you for what seem like good ideas worth looking into.
Ron, do you know of any reference document to which I can refer for adding steel fibres to asphalt? Which steel fibre, what dosage, procedure for mixing into the asphalt? Any concern that they will corrode and stain the asphalt surface, or that they could stick out of the asphalt and be a cutting hazard to any child who fell on the asphalt?
RE: reinforced asphalt
RE: reinforced asphalt
RE: reinforced asphalt
RE: reinforced asphalt
By the way, assuming a competent base, the more the asphalt is kneeded by the traffic, the better it is for the asphalt (up to a limit I suppose). That is what an asphalt specialist told me 30 years ago.
RE: reinforced asphalt
The competent installation and design are where it lacks. I would say more blame lies with the designers than the installers from what I've seen.
RE: reinforced asphalt
RE: reinforced asphalt
RE: reinforced asphalt
RE: reinforced asphalt
RE: reinforced asphalt
RE: reinforced asphalt
RE: reinforced asphalt
I am not quite understanding what the 2 1/2 feet is that you mention. Is that the bond development length of the Glasgrid?
Are you aware of anyone having used the Glasgrid with noticeable beneficial results regarding cracking?
RE: reinforced asphalt
Using Geosynthetic Interlayers as a Solution for Reflective Cracking]
RE: reinforced asphalt
Mitchell Fibercon produced the correct kind of fibers for this. They are still in business. Steel fiber in asphalt never really caught on, but it has excellent potential. I've seen some more recent stuff in the past few years being done in Germany.
I wrote an article on it for Roads and Bridges Magazine in 1985....if I can find a copy I'll post it.
http://www.fiberconfiber.com/