Bending Fatigue Test and Interlayer Pavement Models for Beams of Asphalt Mixture

Abstract

The fatigue life of composite beam samples were measured by flexural fatigue test under different bonding oil contents, temperatures, and loads. The measurement was conducted to study the influence of interlayer contact on the fatigue life of asphalt pavement and to fine tune the pavement fatigue model. The results show the following: (1) The integrity and fatigue life of asphalt pavement decreases because of interlayer contact. (2) Fatigue life first increases then decreases with increasing bonding oil content. An optimum bonding oil content increases fatigue resistance to a higher level. (3) Fatigue failure more readily occurs at normal temperatures than at low temperatures. In addition, fatigue life significantly decreases when pavement is exposed to overweight vehicles. The relationship of fatigue life with bonding oil content, temperature, and load was identified and total fatigue equations were established.