Uniaxial Fatigue of Asphalt Mixes: A New Approach

The fatigue requirement in the Superpave binder specification is the focus of considerable concern by suppliers and user agencies with respect to its ability to control the susceptibility of asphalt binders to load-induced fatigue cracking. The general consensus is that a new criterion is needed for binder fatigue and that this criterion needs to be related to mix behavior. The results of many years of research on asphalt mixtures have led many to the conclusion that separate and very different specification criteria are needed for thick and thin pavements, requiring controlled strain and stress laboratory fatigue tests, respectively. Recent studies have shown that this is not the case and that with proper experimentation and data interpretation, a single fatigue criterion can be applied to both thick and thin pavements. The approach that was developed by Drs. Soltani and Di Benedetto at Ecole Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'Etat (ENTPE) in Lyon, France, involves new and unique experimental and interpretative protocols. The new test protocols, because they unify controlled stress and controlled strain fatigue test results, as well as account for self heating and thixotropy, offer a unique approach for developing more rational fatigue criteria. Equipment needed to apply these protocols was developed and refined during this study, and the protocols were applied to several mixtures. The presence of an endurance limit for hot-mix asphalt was verified, and a new protocol for characterizing fatigue was developed.

• Corporate Authors:

  Pennsylvania State University, University Park

  Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Transportation Research Building
  University Park, PA  United States  16802

  Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

  Bureau of Planning and Research
  400 North Street, 6th Floor
  Harrisburg, PA  United States  17120-0064

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Soltani, Ali
  • Anderson, David A
• Publication Date: 2005-1-25

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 132p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt mixtures; Bituminous binders; Fatigue (Mechanics); Fatigue tests; Hot mix asphalt; Specifications; Superpave; Test procedures; Testing equipment; Thickness
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01002010
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-PA-2003-019-97-04(20), PTI 2003-13
• Contract Numbers: 359704 WO 20
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 15 2005 3:58PM