Using Geosynthetic Interlayers as a Solution for Reflective Cracking

Jan. 1, 1970

Archived webinar:

Thursday, May 7, 2015

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern  

Register here

Participants earn one Professional Development Hour.

Webinar Overview:

This webinar will focus on the selection techniques for, and the benefits of, asphalt interlayers for pavement engineers.

As budgets for road maintenance are reduced, innovative methods for treating paved roads that are cracked continue to evolve. Geosynthetic asphalt interlayers are a well-established type of product that has evolved over 30 years to address reflective crack distresses associated with the rehabilitation and maintenance of roads. The use of asphalt interlayers in the maintenance of asphalt-surfaced roads has been limited in some places due to a lack of empirical evidence, empirical tools, and performance-based specifications.

A number of inconclusive studies by respected authors affirm the complexity of this topic. Poor test repeatability, poorly documented and designed field experiments, and natural variability in the layer properties in the field have muddied the subject, negatively influencing the perception of performance. The direct comparison of moisture barriers and high strength interlayers in the same project shows that that the wide range of possible geosynthetic interlayers has also added to the confusion.

However, test methods continue to evolve, as the interlayer industry continues to invest to better understand how interlayers perform within asphalt under varying conditions. The ultimate objective is to help engineers better understand the contribution of interlayers to the unique and complex material we know as asphalt. The main goal of this webinar is to provide an update on selection techniques and quantification of benefits of asphalt interlayers to practicing pavement engineers.

Topics to be discussed include: all interlayer types and the unique difference between them; understanding reflective crack distress types; fatigue cracking vs reflective cracking; installation of interlayers; test methods for interlayers; recycling of asphalt concrete with interlayers; boundary conditions; and design methods for interlayers.

Company Info:

For 30 years, Tensar International Corporation (Tensar) has been a full-service provider of specialty products and engineering services, offering innovative and cost-effective solutions for various site development challenges. Tensar tackles the challenges of roadway construction by offering several roadway systems designed with performance, cost savings and ease of installation in mind. Our system approach to roadway construction not only includes our industry-leading products, but also site evaluation, design services, specifications and site support in addition to our first-class customer service and extensive distribution network.

Speaker:

Nicholas Reck, Technical Director for Pavements, Tensar International Corporation

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Nicholas is a registered professional civil engineer with more than 20 years of worldwide experience in asphalt interlayers and pavements. At Tensar, he is responsible for pavement design assistance and worldwide research and forensics, internal and external training, making him suitably qualified to lead this event. Nicholas is a Swazi by birth, a South African by naturalization, and last year became a proud United States Citizen. Nicholas enjoys sharing knowledge and looks forward to this event.