Evaluation of Optimum Fiber Length in Fiber-Reinforced Asphalt Concrete
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 34, Issue 3
Abstract
Cracking is one of the most common distresses in asphalt pavement. Because asphalt concrete is relatively weak in tension, synthetic fibers have shown to increase its tensile strength and, therefore, reduce the chance of cracking. An approach was used in this study with the aim of evaluating the interaction between fibers and asphalt mastic and the fiber distribution in asphalt concrete. Three types of aramid fibers and two types of nylon fibers were used. A pullout test was used to determine the typical shear bond strength between fibers and the asphalt mastic. The bond strength obtained from the pullout test was then used to calculate the minimum fiber embedded length on each side of the crack in order for the fiber to reach its full capacity before being pulled out. Of course, increasing fiber length increases the chance of bridging cracks considering the random distribution of fibers in fiber-reinforced asphalt concrete (FRAC) and the random orientation of fibers relative to cracks. On the other hand, increasing fiber length may result in uneven distribution of fibers in the FRAC. Fiber extraction and recovery tests were then used to determine the dispersion of aramid fibers in the FRAC with different fiber lengths. The study showed that aramid fibers in the order of 20 mm would provide a good bond with the asphalt mastic and result in reasonable dispersion in the FRAC. The uniaxial fatigue test and flow number test were also performed on FRAC with different aramid fiber lengths. The 19-mm fibers also showed better performance test results than the 10- and 38-mm fibers. A similar length is recommended for the Nylon 1 fibers based on the bond properties only. Longer Nylon 2 fibers are recommended, but caution needs to be taken to avoid uneven fiber dispersion in the FRAC.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the FORTA Corporation for the financial support and for providing the fibers. The authors also would like to acknowledge the contribution of Mr. Samuel Castro for the mechanical testing and Dr. Barzin Mobasher at Arizona State University for his input and valuable advice throughout the project.
References
AASHTO. 2011. Standard method of test for determining dynamic modulus of hot mix asphalt (HMA). AASHTO T 342-19. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
AASHTO. 2017. Standard method of test for determining the dynamic modulus and flow number for asphalt mixtures using the asphalt mixture performance tester (AMPT). AASHTO T 378-17. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
AASHTO. 2018. Standard method of test for determining the damage characteristic curve and failure criterion using the asphalt mixture performance tester (AMPT) cyclic fatigue test. AASHTO TP 107-18. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
AASHTO. 2019. Standard method of test preparing and determining the density of asphalt mixture specimens by means of the superpave gyratory compactor. AASHTO T 312-19. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
AASHTO. 2020. Standard method of test for theoretical maximum specific gravity (Gmm) and density of asphalt mixtures. AASHTO T 209. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
ASTM. 2002. Standard test method for determining the fracture properties of asphalt binder in direct tension (DT). ASTM D6723-01. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2017a. Standard test method for pull-off strength of coatings using portable adhesion testers. ASTM D4541-17. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2017b. Standard test methods for quantitative extraction of asphalt binder from asphalt mixtures. ASTM D2172/D2172M-17e1. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
Behbahani, H., S. Nowbakht, H. Fazaeli, and J. Rahmani. 2009. “Effects of fiber type and content on the rutting performance of stone matrix asphalt.” J. Appl. Sci. 9 (10): 1980–1984. https://doi.org/10.3923/jas.2009.1980.1984.
Gundla, A. 2014. Use of micro-mechanical models to study the mastic level structure of asphalt concretes containing reclaimed asphalt pavement. Tempe, AZ: Arizona State Univ.
Huang, H., and T. White. 1996. “Dynamic properties of fiber-modified overlay mixture.” Transp. Res. Rec. 1545 (1): 98–104. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198196154500113.
Jaskuła, P., M. Stienss, and C. Szydłowski. 2017. “Effect of polymer fibres reinforcement on selected properties of asphalt mixtures.” Procedia Eng. 172 (Jan): 441–448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.02.026.
Kaloush, K., K. Biligiri, W. Zeiada, M. Rodezno, and J. Reed. 2010. “Evaluation of fiber-reinforced asphalt mixtures using advanced material characterization tests.” J. Test. Eval. 38 (4): 400–411. https://doi.org/10.1520/JTE102442.
Klinsky, L. M. G., K. E. Kaloush, V. C. Faria, and V. S. S. Bardini. 2018. “Performance characteristics of fiber modified hot mix asphalt.” Constr. Build. Mater. 176 (Jul): 747–752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.04.221.
Lee, S. J., J. P. Rust, H. Hamouda, Y. R. Kim, and R. H. Borden. 2005. “Fatigue cracking resistance of fiber-reinforced asphalt concrete.” Text. Res. J. 75 (2): 123–128. https://doi.org/10.1177/004051750507500206.
Mahdi, S., M. Sheikhzadeh, and S. Mahdi. 2010. “Fiber-reinforced asphalt-concrete—A review.” Constr. Build. Mater. 24 (1): 25–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2009.08.006.
Maurer, D. A., and G. J. Malasheskie. 1989. “Field performance of fabrics and fibers to retard reflective cracking.” Geotext. Geomembr. 8 (3): 239–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/0266-1144(89)90005-8.
Mcdaniel, R. 2015. Fiber additives in asphalt mixtures. Washington, DC: National Cooperative Highway Research Program.
Mobasher, B. 2011. Mechanics of fiber and textile reinforced cement composites. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Mohammed, M., T. Parry, N. Thom, and J. Grenfell. 2018. “Investigation into the bond strength of bitumen-fibre mastic.” Constr. Build. Mater. 190 (Nov): 382–391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.09.084.
Noorvand, H. 2020. “Advancing knowledge of mechanically-fiber reinforced asphalt concrete.” Ph.D. thesis, Dept. of Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering, Arizona State Univ.
Noorvand, H., S. Castro, B. S. Underwood, and K. E. Kaloush. 2020. “Evaluating interaction of fibre reinforcement mechanism with mesostructure of asphalt concrete.” Int. J. Pavement Eng. 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2020.1813286.
Noorvand, H., R. Salim, J. Medina, J. Stempihar, and B. S. Underwood. 2018. “Effect of synthetic fiber state on mechanical performance of fiber reinforced asphalt concrete.” Transp. Res. Rec. 2672 (28): 42–51. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198118787975.
Park, P., S. El-tawil, S. Park, and A. E. Naaman. 2015. “Cracking resistance of fiber reinforced asphalt concrete at -20°C.” Constr. Build. Mater. 81 (Apr): 47–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.02.005.
Park, P., S. El-Tawil, and A. E. Naaman. 2017. “Pull-out behavior of straight steel fibers from asphalt binder.” Constr. Build. Mater. 144 (Jul): 125–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.03.159.
Peltonen, P. V. 1991. “Characterization and testing of fibre-modified bitumen composites.” J. Mater. Sci. 26 (20): 5618–5622. https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00020433.
Serfass, J. P., and J. Samanos. 1996. “Fiber-modified asphalt concrete characteristics, applications and behavior (with discussion).” J. Assoc. Asphalt Paving Technol. 65 (Mar): 193–230.
Shaopeng, W., Y. Qunshan, L. Ning, and Y. Hongbo. 2007. “Effects of fibers on the dynamic properties of asphalt mixtures.” J. Wuhan Univ. Technol. Mater. Sci. Educ. 22 (4): 733–736. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11595-006-4733-3.
Shunzhi, Q., M. Hui, F. Jiliang, Y. Ruochong, and H. Xiaoming. 2014. “Fiber reinforcing effect on asphalt binder under low temperature.” Constr. Build. Mater. 61 (Jun): 120–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.02.035.
Slebi-Acevedo, C. J., P. Lastra-González, I. Indacoechea-Vega, and D. Castro-Fresno. 2020. “Laboratory assessment of porous asphalt mixtures reinforced with synthetic fibers.” Constr. Build. Mater. 234 (Feb): 117224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117224.
Underwood, B., C. Baek, and Y. Kim. 2012. “Simplified viscoelastic continuum damage model as platform for asphalt concrete fatigue analysis.” Transp. Res. Rec. 2296 (1): 36–45. https://doi.org/10.3141/2296-04.
Underwood, B. S., Y. R. Kim, and M. N. Guddati. 2010. “Improved calculation method of damage parameter in viscoelastic continuum damage model.” Int. J. Pavement Eng. 11 (6): 459–476. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298430903398088.
Wu, S., Q. Ye, and N. Li. 2008. “Investigation of rheological and fatigue properties of asphalt mixtures containing polyester fibers.” Constr. Build. Mater. 22 (10): 2111–2115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2007.07.018.
Ye, Q., S. Wu, and N. Li. 2009. “Investigation of the dynamic and fatigue properties of fiber-modified asphalt mixtures.” Int. J. Fatigue 31 (10): 1598–1602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2009.04.008.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 34 • Issue 3 • March 2022
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 2, 2021
Accepted: Jul 28, 2021
Published online: Dec 31, 2021
Published in print: Mar 1, 2022
Discussion open until: May 31, 2022
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Kongsak Akkharawongwhatthana, Apinun Buritatum, Apichat Suddeepong, Suksun Horpibulsuk, Nantipat Pongsri, Teerasak Yaowarat, Menglim Hoy, Arul Arulrajah, Mechanistic Performance of Hybrid Asphalt Concretes with Recycled Aggregates and Hemp Fiber for Low Traffic Roads, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 10.1061/JMCEE7.MTENG-16864, 36, 4, (2024).
- Fei Liu, Baofeng Pan, Jiaruo Bian, Changjun Zhou, Experimental investigation on the performance of the asphalt mixture with ceramic fiber, Journal of Cleaner Production, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135585, 384, (135585), (2023).
- Behzad Behnia, Peyman Askarinejad, Noah LaRussa-Trott, Investigating Low-Temperature Cracking Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Asphalt Concrete Materials, International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology, 10.1007/s42947-022-00271-x, (2023).
- Jiajie Li, Zhenghong Tian, Xiao Sun, Yuanshan Ma, Hengrui Liu, Working state determination for concrete internal vibrator using genetic simulated annealing clustering method, Case Studies in Construction Materials, 10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01163, 17, (e01163), (2022).