Emilee Schlader

Bio: Emilee Schlader is an academic researcher from Missouri University of Science and Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cementitious & Engineered cementitious composite. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 2 citations.

Experimental Evaluation of Engineered Cementitious Composites as Reflective Crack Control Interlayer for Composite Pavements

Abstract: Reflective cracking at transverse joints is considered as a predominant distress in composite pavements. Various interlayers have been used previously to prevent or retard reflective cracking. Engineered cementitious composite (ECC) is a special type of high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious material that is expected to perform better as an interlayer due to its higher tensile strength and ductility. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ECC as an interlayer system experimentally. A laboratory test protocol was designed to simulate repeated traffic loads to measure the fatigue performance of ECC interlayer system using digital image correlation (DIC) technique. It was found that the composite pavement specimens with ECC interlayer provided significantly higher fatigue life as compared to the control specimens without interlayer. This result indicates that ECC could be used as a potential effective interlayer system to retard or mitigate reflective cracking.

Cost effective prevention of reflective cracking of composite pavement : research project capsule.

Abstract: Louisiana has experimented with various techniques and treatments to control reflective cracking since the 1970s. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare different reflective cracking control treatments by evaluating the performance, constructability, and cost-effectiveness of pavements built with these treatments across the state. To achieve this objective, a survey of current state practices identified the treatment methods that are used or that had been used to delay and mitigate reflective cracking in composite pavements. Based on this survey and a thorough review of Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) databases, pavement sections built with reflective crack control treatment methods were identified. Projects with sufficient years in service and with available untreated segments were selected for detailed performance and economic evaluation. In total, the performance of 50 different sites that were constructed with various treatments was evaluated for a period ranging from 4 to 18 years. Among various treatments that were analyzed, saw and seal, and chip seal as a crack relief interlayer showed the most promising results in terms of performance and economic worthiness. The cost effectiveness of fiber-glass grid was not validated as compared to regular hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlays. Stress absorbing membrane interlayer and high strain asphalt crack relief interlayer (STRATA®) showed mixed results in terms of performance. In addition, there was an insufficient number of projects for paving fabrics to allow for drawing conclusions on the cost-effectiveness of this treatment method.