Machine-filling of cracks in asphalt concrete
Frank K.A. Awuah, Álvaro García
Abstract
In this paper, a machine process to repair cracks in asphalt pavements by filling them with hot bitumen is demonstrated for the first time. We have characterized the quality of these fillings. Furthermore, the paper examines how the filling speed, temperature, bitumen type, crack width, crack irregularity, and the flow of hot bitumen affect the crack filling quality by the machine. In the laboratory we have used a 3D-printer as the machine to fill the cracks due to its simplicity. We have characterized the quality of the repaired cracks in terms of their porosity and shear and tensile strength. We have demonstrated that the bitumen flow, filling speed, and width and depth of cracks determine the quality of the filling and will need to be carefully controlled in a future autonomous crack filling device. The complex interaction between these parameters will need to be underpinned in future research.