In the recent past, new materials, laboratory and in-situ testing methods and construction techniques have been introduced. In addition, modern computational techniques such as the finite element method enable the utilization of sophisticated constitutive models for realistic model-based predictions of the response of pavements. The 7th RILEM International Conference on Cracking of Pavements provided an international forum for the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge amongst experts involved in computational analysis, material production, experimental characterization, design and construction of pavements.

All submitted contributions were subjected to an exhaustive refereed peer review procedure by the Scientific Committee, the Editors and a large group of international experts in the topic. On the basis of their recommendations, 129 contributions which best suited the goals and the objectives of the Conference were chosen for presentation and inclusion in the Proceedings.

The strong message that emanates from the accepted contributions is that, by accounting for the idiosyncrasies of the response of pavement engineering materials, modern sophisticated constitutive models in combination with new experimental material characterization and construction techniques provide a powerful arsenal for understanding and designing against the mechanisms and the processes causing cracking and pavement response deterioration. As such they enable the adoption of truly "mechanistic" design methodologies.

The papers represent the following topics: Laboratory evaluation of asphalt concrete cracking potential; Pavement cracking detection; Field investigation of pavement cracking; Pavement cracking modeling response, crack analysis and damage prediction; Performance of concrete pavements and white toppings; Fatigue cracking and damage characterization of asphalt concrete; Evaluation of the effectiveness of asphalt concretemodification; Crack growth parameters and mechanisms; Evaluation, quantification and modeling of asphalt healing properties; Reinforcement and interlayer systems for crack mitigation; Thermal and low temperature cracking of pavements; and Cracking propensity of WMA and recycled asphalts.

Inhalt
Laboratory evaluation of asphalt concrete cracking potential: Characterization of Asphalt Mixture's Fracture Resistance Using the Semi-Circular Bending (SCB) Test.- Determining the Flexural Strength of Asphalt Mixtures Using the Bending Beam Rheometer.- Experimental study of the precracking.- Comparison between 2PB and 4PB methodologies based on the dissipated energy approach .- Evaluation of thermal stresses in asphalt layers incomparison with TSRST test results.- A four-point bending test for the bonding evaluation of composite pavement.- Assessment of cracking resistance of bituminous mixtures by means of Fenix test.- Development of Dynamic Asphalt Stripping Machine for Better Prediction of Moisture Damage on Porous Asphalt in the Field.- Effect of Wheel Track Sample Geometry on Results.- Performance of 'SAMI'S in simulative testing.- Towards a New Experimental and Numerical Protocol for Determining Mastic Viscosity.- Interference Factors on Tests of Asphalt Biding Agents Destinated to Paving Works Using a Statistic Study.- Pavement cracking detection: The Use of Ground Penetrating Radar, Thermal Camera and Laser Scanner Technology in Asphalt Crack Detection and Diagnostics.- Asphalt Thermal Cracking Analyser (ATCA).- Using 3D laser profiling sensors for the automated measurement of road surface conditions.- Pavement Crack Detection Using High-resolution 3D Line Laser Imaging Technology.- Detecting unbounded interface with non destructive techniques.- New Field Testing Procedure to Measure Surface Stresses in Plain Concrete Pavements and Structures.- Strain Measurement in Pavements with a Fibre Optics Sensor Enabled Geotextile.- Field investigation of pavement cracking: Evaluating the low temperature resistance of the asphalt pavement under the climatic conditions of Kazakhstan.- Millau viaduct response under static and moving loads considering viscous bituminous wearing course materials.- Material PropertyTesting of Asphalt Binders Related to Thermal Cracking in a Comparative Site Pavement Performance Study.- Influence of Differential Displacements of Airport Pavements on Aircraft Fuelling Systems.- Rehabilitation of cracking in epoxy asphalt pavement on steel bridge decks.- Long-term pavement performance evaluation.- Structural Assessment of Cracked Flexible Pavement.- Comparison Between Optimum Tack Coat Application Rates as Obtained from Shear- and Tension-type Tests.- Using Life Cycle Assessment to Optimize Pavement Crack-Mitigation.- Preliminary Analysis of Quality-Related Specification Approach for Cracking on Low Volume Hot Mix Asphalt Roads.- Evaluating root resistance of asphaltic pavement focusing on woody plants' root growth.- 20 Years of Research on Asphalt Reinforcement Achievements and Future Needs.- Concrete Pavement Strength Investigations at the FAA National Airport Pavement Test Facility.- Pavement cracking modeling response, crack analysis and damage prediction: The Effects Non-Uniform Contact Pressure Distribution has on Surface Distress of Flexible Pavements using a Finite Element Method.- Finite Element Analysis of a New Test Specimen for Investigating Mixed Mode Cracks in Asphalt Overlays .- Modelling of the Initiation and Development of Transverse Cracks in Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements for Dutch Conditions.- Pavement Response Excited by Road Unevennesses using the Boundary Element Method.- Discrete particle element analysis of aggregate interaction in granular mixes for asphalt: combined DEM and experimental study.- Recent Developments and Applications of Pavement Analysis Using Nonlinear Damage (PANDA) Model.- Laboratory and Computational Evaluation of Compact Tension Fracture Test and Texas Overlay Tester for Asphalt Concrete.- Crack Fundamental Element (CFE) for Multi-scale Crack Classification .- Cracking Models for Use in Pavement Maintenance Management.- Multi-cracks modeling inreflective cracking.- Using Black Space Diagrams to Predict Age-Induced Cracking.- Top-Down Cracking Prediction Tool for Hot Mix Asphalt Pavements.- A theoretical investigation into the 4 point bending Test.- Multiscale Micromechanical Lattice Modeling of Cracking in Asphalt Concrete.- Accelerated Pavement Performance Modeling Using Layered Viscoelastic Analysis.- Numerical investigations on the deformation behavior of concrete pavements.- Fatigue behavior modelling in the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design.- Theoretical Analysis of Overlay Resisting Crack Propagation in Old Cement Concrete Pavement.- Calibration of Asphalt Concrete Cracking Models for California Mechanistic-Empirical Design (CalME).- Performance of concrete pavements and white toppings: Shear Failure in Plain Concrete as Applied to Concrete Pavement Overlays.- Influence of Residual Stress on PCC Pavement Potential Cracking.- Plain Concrete Cyclic Crack Resistance Curves under Constant and Variable Amplitude Loading.- Influence of external alkali supply on cra...