Proposing Load Transfer Efficiency as Criterion for Repairing Longitudinal and Transverse Cracks of Asphalt Pavements

AbstractThis study evaluated longitudinal and transverse cracks in asphalt pavements. Using the concept of load transfer efficiency (LTE), the effects of the crack on reducing the load-bearing capacity (LBC) of the pavement were measured in the field using a portable falling weight deflectometer device. The collected data were analyzed using statistical methods (t-test and box plot), regression method, time-history graphs, and an artificial neural network approach. Unlike the conventional method of placing longitudinal and transverse cracks in one group, the results showed that these two crack types should be treated separately because they have different behavior. The results also showed that for crack widths less than 5 mm, the longitudinal cracks have a greater effect on reducing LBC, whereas for crack width larger than 5 mm, the transverse cracks have a more significant impact on reducing LBC. Based on these results, LTE instead of crack width is proposed as a criterion for selecting a proper crack-repair method.