Impact of the implementation of continuous construction method on pavement cracking performance

A continuous construction method (CCM) was proposed to decrease the reflective cracking generated from the cement-treated macadam base by reducing the shrinkage of base materials and improving the bond strength at the interface between the base layer and surface layer. Traditional 3–7 days of curing period of cement-treated macadam base was eliminated by CCM and the asphalt mixture can be paved immediately after the construction of cement-treated macadam base. An anti-cracking agent was developed and added into the cement-treated base materials to prolong the hydration process and improve the shrinkage performance of base materials. The influences of anti-cracking agent on the properties of cement-treated materials were analysed using laboratory tests. The generation of micro-expansion ettringite from cement system was investigated from the microscopic perspective using the scanning electronic microscope test. Test roads were constructed and contrasted to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach and s...