Work

Ultra-thin asphalt pavement preservation layer: Performance enhancement mechanism, key technologies, and development trends

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: To address the reduced durability and rising maintenance costs caused by early stage distresses in asphalt pavements, the ultra-thin asphalt pavement preservation layer (UTPPL) has emerged as an economical and eco-friendly preventive maintenance technology. UTPPL effectively enhances pavement performance through a synergistic material structure process approach. This paper systematically reviews recent advancements in UTPPL key technology, exploring its performance enhancement mechanisms, critical techniques, and future research directions. Key findings indicate that the composite application of high elastic modified asphalt with skeleton dense gradation, combined with fiber reinforcement technology, significantly enhances the crack resistance, toughness, and compaction efficiency of UTPPL mixture. The long term interlayer performance relies on the synergistic action of stress absorbing and waterproof sealing layers. However, quantitative characterization of their high temperature performance degradation and aging mechanisms requires further investigation. Construction necessitates dynamic optimization of rolling patterns through precise warm mixture temperature control and intelligent monitoring technologies to ensure quality. Performance evaluation requires a multi-scale laboratory field system, integrating non-destructive testing to establish a comprehensive life cycle monitoring framework. UTPPL technology demonstrably extends pavement service life by 30~50% and reduces life cycle maintenance costs. Future research must focus on resolving critical challenges including material aging mechanisms, high content recycled asphalt pavement utilization, validation of interlayer behavior models, and synergistic optimization of intelligent construction processes. These advancements are essential to promote the sustainable development of UTPPL towards low carbon, intelligent, and long life cycle pavement solutions.

Source: Case Studies in Construction Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05405

Authors: Rui Guo, Tengfei Nian, Jintang Sun, Yang Yang, Xin Lu, Jianhua Zhang

Institutions: Shaanxi University of Technology, Lanzhou University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Asphalt Pavement Performance Evaluation

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,660