Mitigation of tenting of transverse cracks and joints in asphalt pavement

Project summary:

In Minnesota, transverse cracks of asphalt pavement often result in a secondary distress, known as pavement tenting, crack-heaving, or lipping. In this distress, the pavement on both sides of the transverse cracks and joints heave because of the ice accumulation underneath. The popular theory behind the development of pavement tenting is the frost heaving of the base materials during the frigid winter. If left untreated, pavement tenting can accelerate the deterioration of asphalt concrete near the transverse crack vicinity and potentially leads to potholes over time. While the cause of the problem is largely known, research is needed to identify the possible strategies to mitigate pavement tenting. The objective of this project is to develop the best practices manual for the mitigation of the pavement tenting, including the creation of guidelines and decision trees on the most effective pavement tenting mitigation strategies for pavements varying in age, current condition, remaining life, traffic, pavement structure, subgrade materials, etc.