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Abstract
The viscoelastic continuum damage (VECD) theory has been gaining wide acceptance throughout the world as a promising method for characterisation of fatigue cracking susceptibility of asphalt mixtures. This method is also being explored by different countries (e.g. Brazil) to be a part of pavement design and to be used as a component of performance-related specifications. While the VECD is a novel methodology, over the past 20 years, different versions of the formulations have been developed by various researchers. This paper includes history and the basic principles the most common VECD methodologies used today. A thorough review of the formulations as well as the main assumptions of different VECD models is given. In addition, a step-by-step guidance on calibration of VECD model and potential problems related to VECD modelling are presented. Finally, uniaxial tension-compression fatigue test results of six different mixtures (with varying binder PGs, recycled asphalt pavement contents and aggregate gradations) were analysed using three most common VECD formulations. The damage characteristic curves (i.e. C vs. S curves) produced by the different VECD methods as well as predicted number of cycles to failure (Nf) were compared and analysed.