Abstract
Evaluating the effectiveness of breaking and seating concrete pavements prior to asphalt overlay is a subject of great importance for pavement rehabilitation. A number of studies reported that breaking and seating delayed reflection cracking, but some indicated that, after 4 to 5 years, the cracking of the asphalt overlays on broken and seated sections increased and was about the same as in the other sections. Structural analysis of these pavements confirmed a significant loss of structural support. A controlled experimental project in Ohio investigated the effectiveness of breaking and seating jointed reinforced concrete pavements before asphalt overlay. Four miles of in-service composite pavements carrying heavy traffic were rehabilitated by milling the original asphalt layer, breaking and seating the concrete slabs, and constructing new asphalt overlays. Four more miles of the same sections were constructed in the same way except for breaking and seating. After 2 ½ years of study, the results confirm the previous findings regarding the effectiveness of breaking and seating in delaying reflection cracks and reduction in structural capacity, increase in surface deflection, and loss of flexural strength. This study indicates that the type of breaking equipment used and the extent of breaking are the most significant factors affecting the performance of these pavements.
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