Evaluating fatigue resistance based on viscoelastic properties of asphalt mixtures

ABSTRACT

In this study, the fatigue resistance of different asphalt mixture types subjected to the same aging condition was evaluated using linear viscoelastic properties of asphalt mixtures. The relaxation spectra were determined from the dynamic modulus test based on the linear viscoelastic theory, and the relationship between the parameters of relaxation spectra and the parameters of the storage modulus master-curves were developed. The Texas overlay test was conducted to evaluate the fatigue resistance with the number of load cycle to failure used as the measure of fatigue resistance. From the corresponding results, it is shown that the inflection point frequency of the dynamic modulus master-curves could be used to assess the fatigue resistance compared to other parameters. The Glover-Rowe parameter also exhibited a fair relationship with the fatigue resistance of the asphalt mixtures. The effect of the shape parameter (γ) of the dynamic modulus master-curves was quantified but seemed not very sensitive to fatigue resistance for the asphalt mixtures evaluated. In the study, a new parameter (VECIndex) was developed to evaluate the fatigue resistance, which considered the inflection point frequency and shape of the dynamic modulus master-curves, both of which influence the linear viscoelastic properties and fatigue resistance of asphalt mixtures.

KEYWORDS:

• fatigue resistance
• viscoelastic properties
• relaxation spectrum
• dynamic modulus
• overlay tester

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all those who assisted in this study including laboratory testing, field work, data collection, data compilation, analysis, and documentation of this paper. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the Texas flexible pavements and overlays database (DSS) that valuably served as the data source for the work presented in this paper.

Disclosure statement

The contents of this paper reflect the views of the authors who are solely responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein and do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of any agency or institute. This paper does not constitute a standard, specification, nor is it intended for design, construction, bidding, contracting, tendering, certification, or permit purposes. Trade names were used solely for information purposes and not for product endorsement, advertisement, promotions, or certification.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Texas Department of Transportation.