Overview
ISO/TR 18228-10:2024 - Design using geosynthetics, Part 10: Asphalt pavements - provides guidance for using geosynthetics as asphalt interlayers. Intended for geotechnical and civil engineers, pavement designers, contractors and researchers, the technical report describes product categories (paving geotextiles, paving grids, paving geocomposites), their system functions (reinforcement, stress relief, interlayer barrier) and the key failure mechanisms to consider. The document is descriptive: the state of the art is limited and it does not endorse a single design method. It is also positioned as a basis for further research, performance testing and development of local guidelines.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Product types and functions: clear differentiation between paving geotextile, paving grid and paving geocomposite and the associated functions - R (reinforcement), STR (stress relief) and B (barrier).
- Crack classification: categories of reflective and structure-related cracks, including those driven by horizontal and vertical movements.
- Design considerations: selection of system components, required site/traffic information, non-interchangeability of products, and lifecycle performance expectations.
- Installation requirements: site preparation, bond (tack) coat application, geosynthetic installation and overlay application; includes an installation checklist (informative Annex B).
- Performance assessment: field assessment tools and recommended laboratory tests to evaluate interlayer systems and predict pavement behaviour.
- End-of-life and recycling: guidance on milling and recycling strategies when geosynthetics are present in asphalt overlays.
- Design support: overview of available design models and software (informative Annex A), and references to specialized installation providers (Annex C).
Practical applications
ISO/TR 18228-10 is practical for projects where geosynthetics are used between existing pavements and new asphalt overlays. Typical objectives:
- Mitigate reflective cracking and delay crack propagation.
- Provide a barrier to water and gas ingress to protect bound and unbound layers.
- Improve long-term pavement performance, extend service life and reduce whole-of-life costs.
- Support decision-making on system selection, installation methods, testing protocols and recycling strategies.
Who should use this standard
- Geotechnical and civil engineers specifying interlayer solutions.
- Pavement designers and asset managers evaluating lifecycle and maintenance strategies.
- Contractors and installation specialists seeking best practices for bonding and overlay workflows.
- Manufacturers and researchers developing new interlayer products or performance tests.
Related standards
- ISO/TR 18228 series (general guidance for geosynthetics) - see ISO/TR 18228-1 for overarching principles.
Note: ISO/TR 18228-10 contains no normative references and is intended as informative guidance rather than prescriptive requirements.
Keywords: ISO/TR 18228-10, geosynthetics, asphalt interlayer, reflective cracking, paving geotextile, paving grid, pavement design, bond coat, installation checklist, recycling.
