Reflective Crack Propagation Model

The Federal Aviation Administration developed a two-dimensional model of its full-scale, indoor-reflection, cracking test equipment located at the National Airport Pavement Test Facility. The model includes two jointed concrete slabs and a continuous hot mix asphalt overlay with a single, preexisting, vertical crack centered on the joint. Energy release rates (ERR) were obtained. Using the model, numerical computations were performed to determine the Mode I ERRs at the crack tip for a series of incremental crack lengths, assuming viscoelastic properties. Plotting those ERR values against the test values of crack propagation rate allowed to calculate Paris’ Law parameters.

DOT/FAA/TC-20/17

Author: Kairat Tuleubekov