ASCE Texas Section Webinar Series presents:

Cross-Shear Test: A Test Method to Evaluate Performance of Geosynthetic-Reinforced Asphalt under Shear Loads

Geosynthetics, when incorporated into hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlays, provide several benefits including, mitigation of reflective cracking, reduction of moisture infiltration, and enhancement of structural capacity. The performance of geosynthetic-reinforced asphalt has been extensively studied under various loading conditions using experimental setups such as three- and four-point bending tests, overlay tests, and wheel tracking tests. However, limited research has focused on evaluating their performance under shear loading conditions, particularly those associated with the reflective cracks. This research gap arises due to the absence of standardized test methods (e.g., ASTM or AASHTO procedures) for evaluating the shear performance of geosynthetic-reinforced asphalt. Thus, this study attempts to utilize and standardize the cross-shear test setup, designed specifically to evaluate the performance of geosynthetic-reinforced asphalt under pure shear loading. Cross-shear tests were conducted at three temperatures (-10°C, 10°C, and 30°C) and strain rates (5%, 12.5%, and 25%) on both unreinforced (control) and geosynthetic-reinforced asphalt specimens. Each configuration was tested in triplicate to validate the repeatability and sensitivity of the cross-shear test. Test results demonstrated a maximum coefficient of variation (CoV) less than 9%, confirming that the cross-shear tests are repeatable. Additionally, cross-shear tests provided valuable insights into the behavior of geosynthetic-reinforced asphalt specimens under shear loads, enabling a more comprehensive evaluation of geosynthetic’s effectiveness in mitigating reflective cracking.

Speaker:

Ashray Saxena, Graduate Research Assistant, The University of Texas at Austin

Ashray Saxena is a 5th-year PhD candidate in Civil Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, specializing in transportation geotechnics. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University, where he worked on environmental sustainability projects focusing on waste management and green infrastructure. For his Master’s degree at IIT Gandhinagar, Ashray studied the mechanical behavior of geomaterials, specifically using biopolymers for fly ash stabilization, and graduated as the gold medalist of the Civil Engineering department. Currently, his interdisciplinary doctoral research combines geosynthetics and transportation infrastructure, focusing on improving the performance of asphalt pavements. His work introduces innovative techniques to mitigate reflective cracking in asphalt overlays using cutting-edge digital image correlation technology. Additionally, he is leading field projects aimed at exploring the benefits of geosynthetics in enhancing the structural capacity of pavements.

Ashray’s dedication to research has earned him over 30 prestigious academic awards, including the highly competitive Geosynthetic Institute Fellowship Research Grant. His most notable achievement came in 2023, when he was honored an ASCE New Face of Civil Engineering, a recognition never before awarded to a student. One of his recent papers was recognized with the IGS Student Award at GeoAmericas 2024 for its contribution to the understanding of geosynthetic applications in pavement performance. He has also contributed significantly to the civil engineering community, serving as Vice President of the UT Austin Geo-Institute chapter and currently representing North America in the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS). In recognition of his community service, Ashray was honored with the UT Tower Award for his volunteer work. His multidisciplinary expertise and commitment to giving back have made him a notable figure in civil engineering.

Notably, the research topic Ashray will be presenting today has received the best presentation Award in 2025 ASCE GI Conference, highlighting the impact and importance of his work in the field of transportation geotechnics.