Estimation of Fatigue Life of Asphalt Mixtures in Terms of Fatigue Life of Asphalt Binders Using the Rate of Dissipated Energy Change Approach

Abstract

This study deals with the trends of fatigue life between asphalt binders and mixtures using the rate of dissipated energy change (RDEC) approach. To this end, the time sweep and four-point beam fatigue tests were utilized to assess the fatigue life of bituminous materials under different strain amplitudes. The results indicated that the RDEC approach can be utilized as asphalt mix fatigue estimation in terms of asphalt binder fatigue life. A separate unique relationship exists between the fatigue life of asphalt materials and their plateau value (PV) covering different types of materials and strain levels. Furthermore, a fatigue model was developed based solely on the PV values of asphalt binders and mixtures including all the materials and the strain levels used in this study. Results revealed conformity between time sweep and four-point beam fatigue tests in terms of RDEC methodology, and a strong correlation exists between these two fatigue tests.