الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The effect of highway geometry on the phenomenon of transverse cracking of asphalt pavement has not been considered when the main causes of pavement distress are investigated. At present, such causes include heavy traffic loads, thermal stresses due to cold temperature, thermal fatigue cracking, asphalt mix design, construction techniques, and the properties of the underlying materials. It is clear that any of these preceding variables can not explain the distinctive differences in crack spacing and desity between a geometry section and its horizontal-straight section taken as reference.
This thesis introduces a new variable, namely highway geometry, which must be considered when asphalt pavements are designed and constructed. The importance of such unique geometric characteristics can be shown when similarity in crack patterns is existed despite carrying out fild surveys in two cities of different climates and geography such as Ottawa, Canada, and Cairo, Egypt.
Based on the reslts of the field surveys, a comprehensive analytical investigation is conduted. The finite element analysis indicates indicates that highway geometry has a significant influence on the induced stresses and strains and it should be considered in the design and construction of asphalt concrete pavements.
The elastic multilayer analysis shows that, unlike tensile and compressive strengths, shear strength of asphalt concrete can be used as a performance indicator.
The finding of the analytical investigation provide the input to verify the effect of highway geometry on the mechanical properties of asphalt concrete pavements, and consequently their long term performance.