Pavement reinforcement fabric is used as an interlayer beneath an asphalt overlay to help slow reflective cracking and reduce moisture intrusion into the pavement structure. It is meant to bridge existing cracks, support a tighter new mat, and help keep water from moving down into the base, where it can soften support and shorten pavement life. In the field, it works best as one step in a complete paving sequence, not as a fix for deeper structural issues.
Before fabric is put in the plan, we pay attention to what the roadway is telling us. Pumping at cracks, rutting tied to base movement, soft shoulders, or recurring wet areas often point to underlying repairs and drainage corrections that need to be addressed first. When the underlying support is sound and the work is staged correctly, fabric can help agencies and prime contractors get longer performance from an overlay.
Good fabric performance starts with honest prep. We coordinate with the prime on traffic control, milling and patching limits, and inspection checkpoints so surface condition meets plan intent and typical GDOT expectations for cleanliness and readiness. The existing pavement needs to be clean, dry, and stable. Loose millings, dust, vegetation at the edges, and wet spots can keep binder from bonding and can create slippage points later.
We also watch geometry and soil-adjacent areas that affect how the overlay behaves: shoulder drop-offs, crown and superelevation changes, transitions at bridges, curb-and-gutter sections, and places where water concentrates at the edge of pavement. If soils are holding moisture or the shoulder is unstable, that condition needs to be addressed early so the interlayer is installed over a surface that can support the intended overlay life. Erosion-control considerations stay in the plan during cleaning and binder application, including protecting inlets and drainage features and keeping sediment from being pulled onto the roadway during staging and hauling.
Once the surface is accepted, binder application and placement details matter. Binder is applied at the specified rate with an eye on uniform coverage without puddling, dry stripes, or overspray into drainage structures. Too much binder can lead to tracking, bleed-through, and slick spots; too little can lead to poor adhesion and fabric movement under turning traffic. Fabric placement is controlled for alignment and tension so it stays seated without wrinkles, fishmouths, or bridging at grade breaks. Overlaps and seams are kept within spec, and transitions at intersections, driveways, and stop-and-go areas are handled carefully because turning movements can stress the interlayer before it is covered. Weather and timing matter, since temperature, humidity, and rain risk affect binder break time and surface moisture. If fabric must be exposed, protection limits and haul routes are coordinated so equipment and traffic do not scuff or displace the material, and the first paving passes are watched to confirm the mat is seated and seams stay tight.
Project conditions change the approach and the results to expect. Fabric can help delay reflective cracking and reduce water infiltration, but it cannot overcome unstable base conditions, inadequate drainage, or an overlay that is too thin for the loading. Closeout is cleaner when fabric limits match the repair plan and key field details are documented, including binder rate verification, overlap handling, and transition treatments. Future work such as utility cuts, staged widening, or milling is also worth considering so the interlayer is not compromised without a repair strategy.
