Abstract

VALDES, G; PEREZ-JIMENEZ, F  and  MARTINEZ, A. Effect of temperature and asphalt mixture type on the fatigue behaviour of flexible pavements. Revista de la Construcción [online]. 2012, vol.11, n.1, pp. 87-100. ISSN 0718-915X.  doi: 10.4067/S0718-915X2012000100009.

This article presents an experimental and analytical study to evaluate the fatigue behavior of flexible pavements. Variables as temperature, gradation and asphalt binder type used in the asphalt mixture are evaluated. An experimental phase is carried out to evaluate the fatigue behavior of different types of asphalt mixtures. These mixtures are usually used in base layers of flexible pavements. Test temperatures considers 20ºC and 5ºC to simulate the pavements behavior in different seasons. Fatigue behavior of a pavement structure is evaluated through fatigue laws and dynamic modulus, both are obtained experimentally. Multilayer elastic modeling is used to determine the stress and deformation states necessary to determine the fatigue life of the pavement structure under analysis. The results show a better fatigue performance of the pavement structure when higher fines content in the gradation are used in asphalt mixtures, regardless of binder type and temperature. Also, this research shows that the increased stiffness of asphalt mixtures has greater influence on the fatigue life of pavement than the loss of the ability to deform because of temperature decrease and use of more viscous binders.

Keywords : Asphalt pavement; fatigue distress; cracking.