Xianhua Chen

Innovative Treatment to Winter Distresses Using a Prefabricated Rollable Pavement Based on a Textile-Reinforced Concrete

AbstractFor a fast treatment of winter distresses, a 1-cm-thick rollable pavement was developed based on a textile-reinforced concrete with short fibers. After the rollable pavement has been placed, its surface is treated with epoxy resin and chippings ranging in size from 2 to 5xa0mm are applied. This ensures an adequate skid resistance and low tire-surface noise. The research presented in this paper also includes results of performance tests. Firstly, the tensile strength of the rollable pavement was determined using the four-point bending test and compared with the actual stresses in real road pavements. Then, the specimens of the rollable pavement were polished using the Aachener ravelling tester. Changes in the texture and their influences on the acoustic properties, the skid resistance, the drainage, and the ravelling were studied and optimized where needed. It can be concluded that this innovative rollable pavement has high mechanical resistance and stability and very positive texture characteristics...

Effect of the combined traffic load and weathering on the skid resistance of the aggregates for road surface

The aggregates used for the surface layers are of central importance for the skid resistance as they are subjected to a constant combined load due to traffic and weather conditions. In the scope of this paper different aggregates are selected and two plate specimens are produced for each aggregate. Each is subjected only to a polishing load and a combined polishing and weather load. By comparing the results of the skid resistance measurements a statement is derived in the paper on the impact of a freeze-thaw effect on the short-term and long-term development of skid resistance.

Research on the Polishing Process of Aggregates on Pavement Surface on Basis of Mineral Characteristics

This paper investigates the behaviors of typical mineral components of the aggregates due to tire-polishing. Four kinds of granitic aggregates were polished and tested. The friction and surface texture in polishing process were monitored. The wearing behaviors of typical mineral components were analyzed by spectrum approach. It was found that a fine mineral structure for granite brings an overall high friction level. The alkali feldspars group contributes to almost constant skid resistance and these crystals experiences a unique increase on all wave lengths in the polish process. The work here may be helpful for an active design of a high friction level all through the service years for pavement surfaces.

Principles of Designing Asphalt Pavement for Orthotropic Steel Bridge Decks

The existing studies on distresses in deck pavement indicate further research into the structural behaviours of orthotropic steel bridge decks is necessary to better understand this important issue. In this regard, this paper first presented a brief review of principles for the design of pavement on orthotropic steel plate decks. Second, critical issues including local displacement and negative bending behaviour under truck loading, main distresses in asphalt deck surfacing and their mechanism, and basic requirements for the asphalt surfacing were discussed in detail. Finally, a fatigue based mechanical-experimental design procedure was proposed for the designing of deck pavement. In addition, it is recommended that based on this study, a new theory to accurately describe the composite interaction between asphalt layer and steel deck plates, interaction between asphalt layers fatigue and bonding membrane damage and their influences, and a more precise performance based design method can be established.

Non-Contact Methods to Predict Skid Resistance of Wet Pavement

This paper presents a systematic framework to predict skid resistance of wet pavement with noncontact method. The grip potential of pavement is estimated according to the measured pavement texture based on theoretical simulation of the physical mechanism of hysteresis during rubber tire rim sliding on pavement. The rubber tire rim is modeled as interconnected Zener elements coupled with springs considering the frequency-temperature dependency and Payne effect. Time integration schedule was adopted to improve the computational efficiency. Such a method could be applied for the purpose of harmonization analysis of skid resistance and potential optimization of pavement surface texture.

Innovative Road Maintenances for an Economical Treatment to Winter Distresses

For a fast treatment of winter distresses, which minimizes the adverse influence of the treatment work on traffic safety and traffic flow, a prefabricated, rollable pavement was developed that is based on a textile-reinforced concrete with short fiber. A high tensile strength and ductility can be expected. Through an oriented design and structuring of the surface, the skid resistance, drainability, and resistance to removal of aggregates can be optimized. This paper provides a basis study on this innovative road surface. With this technique, winter distresses can be removed within a few hours. The new road surface can be opened to traffic as soon as possible. Therefore, it has the potential to contribute to durable road structures and sustainability of road engineering.

Wear behavior analysis and study on skid resistance on SMA pavement

In this paper asphalt plates are made with the same grading curve of SMA but different aggregate types. The asphalt plates were polished with real tires by the Aachen polish machine, which was constructed by the Institute of Road and Traffic Engineering Aachen. The surface was observed by stereo microscope and the friction value was measured with SRT and PWS after each stage of polishing. The result showed that aggregates and bitumen have different contributions to the skid resistance depending mainly on the sliding speed. Especially the bitumen is conducive to skid resistance of the SRT, but not conducive to skid resistance of the PWS, which was measured at 100 km/h. The adhesion between aggregates and bitumen and polishing particle are crucial for the skid resistance of SMA pavement.