Analysis of fatigue performance of asphalt mixtures. Relationship between toughness and fatigue resistance

Title: Analysis of fatigue performance of asphalt mixtures. Relationship between toughness and fatigue resistance
Author(s): F. Pérez Jiménez, R. Miró Recasens, J. Cepeda Aldape
Paper category : conference
Book title: Sixth International RILEM Symposium on Performance Testing and Evaluation of Bituminous Materials
Editor(s): M. N. Partl
Print-ISBN: 2-912143-35-7
e-ISBN: 2912143772
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2003
Pages: 372 - 379
Total Pages: 8
Nb references: 4
Language: English

Abstract: The "Laboratorio de Caminos" of the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC) has developed a new test, the BTD (Barcelona Tracción Directa) test. This testing procedure allows the characterization of fatigue cracking and studying its relationship with the toughness of different bituminous mixtures. By carrying it out in the static mode, we can obtain the load-displacement curves, specific fracture energy, maximum tensile strength and their breaking deformation "dR", which characterises each mixture. Otherwise, in the dynamic mode, we obtain new direct tensile fatigue laws as well as stiffness modulus and the accumulated deformation curves where we found an essential data: the critical deformation "dC". This parameter dC represents the point from which cracking spreads very quickly and corresponds to the plastic deformation from which the microdamage caused by fatigue continues with the formation and propagation of a crack.We had found a clear correlation between the breaking deformation dR and the fatigue represented by the critical deformation dC. Generally, the higher its critical deformation is, the higher its fatigue cracking resistance will be. Another very interesting relation was found between the fatigue life (N) and the quotient between unitary strain imposed and its critical deformation (ei/dC). This correlations, allow to understand, in a better way, the performance of asphalt mixes and make an easy and fast evaluation of fatigue cracking resistance and improve the fatigue design of asphalt mixes.

Online publication: 2003-03-02
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00
doi: 10.1617/2912143772.046