Influence of a discontinuity on stress concentrations in a composite layered material system
Abstract
In the earlier part of the 20th century, the infrastructure of the USA was built and has been maintained over the century. Much of the developed infrastructure has reached its design life and requires replacement or rehabilitation. In recent decades, it has become difficult to replace old infrastructure by building new one because of limited natural resources and reduction in landfills available for dumping discarded materials. Therefore, rehabilitation of infrastructure gained popularity in the later part of 20 th century. Part of the infrastructure that requires frequent rehabilitation is the nation's vast highway infrastructure due to complex load and environmental phenomenon. To rehabilitate deteriorated pavements, highway agencies throughout the country, resurface using asphalt concrete overlays. However, the performance of overlay systems has been far from satisfactory. One of the most common problems associated with asphalt concrete (AC) overlays placed on top of Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements has been reflection cracking of the asphalt concrete overlays. The crack initiates in the vicinity of the joints and propagates to the top of overlay; hence, it is termed reflection cracking.
Subject Area
Mechanical engineering|Mechanics
Recommended Citation
Mahalungkar, Sheetalnath, "Influence of a discontinuity on stress concentrations in a composite layered material system" (2003). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAIEP10370.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAIEP10370