Mode II fatigue and reflective cracking performance of GlasGrid-reinforced asphalt concrete under repeated loading

The main purpose of this research is twofold: to study the shear fatigue and fracture characteristics of GlasGrid-reinforced asphalt concrete and to examine the effects of different interfacial conditions on the performance of GlasGrid-reinforced asphalt concrete beams using four-point bending beam fatigue testing. In order to fulfill the first objective, a double shear test device and a method for determining crack lengths, referred to as the bisectional approach, were developed and used to track the length of cracks along the interface under Mode II fracture. The asphalt concrete interface was reinforced with GlasGrid 8501 with and without a tack coat. The four-point bending beam fatigue test plan included an additional interface condition, which was a tack coat without GlasGrid. The shear tests and beam fatigue tests were conducted at temperatures of 20 degrees C and 23.2 +/- 0.5 degrees C, respectively. The results indicate that the presence of a tack coat improves shear fatigue resistance and extends the four-point bending beam fatigue life of GlasGrid-reinforced specimens. The four-point bending beam fatigue test results show that GlasGrid-reinforced specimens outperform non-reinforced specimens.