Journal Published Online: 13 January 2016
Volume 45, Issue 2

Field Evaluation of Infrared Asphalt Heater/Reclaimer Patching Method

CODEN: JTEVAB

Abstract

The main objective of this paper was to evaluate the performance and cost-effectiveness of the tow-behind combination infrared asphalt heater/reclaimer patching method and to compare it to the throw and roll and spray injection methods. To achieve this, a comprehensive testing program that included installing over 45 patches using the three considered methods and monitoring the performance and survivability of those patches was performed. The results of this testing program indicated that the infrared method had much lower productivity than the other two methods. In addition, the throw and roll method had better productivity than the spray injection method. Improper storage of the infrared heater/reclaimer equipment was also found to cause problems in igniting the infrared heater, which significantly increased the patching duration. In general, most of the deterioration in the patches installed using the different methods occurred in the first month of installation and continued after that but at a much slower rate. The infrared patches had significantly better performance than those installed using the two other patching methods. The main distress in infrared patches was raveling, while the main distress was dishing for the throw and roll and the spray injection patches. The results of survivability analyses also indicated that the patches installed using infrared had much longer expected life than those installed using the other two considered methods. The results of the cost analyses showed that the infrared method can be more cost effective than the spray injection method when used for winter pothole patching. For short-term repairs, the throw and roll method was found to cost less than the infrared method if the user costs were not considered. However, for permanent repairs, the infrared method could be more cost effective than the throw and roll method.

Author Information

Nazzal, Munir
Department of Civil Engineering, Ohio Univ., Athens, OH, US
Kim, Sang Soo
Department of Civil Engineering, Ohio Univ., Athens, OH, US
Abbas, Ala
Department of Civil Engineering, The Univ. of Akron, Akron, OH, US
Pages: 10
Price: $25.00
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Stock #: JTE20150156
ISSN: 0090-3973
DOI: 10.1520/JTE20150156