Observation of Fatigue of Bituminous Mixtures Using Wave Propagation

Abstract

Fatigue phenomenon is one of the main distresses observed in pavements. It is therefore quite complex to characterize in the laboratory using traditional fatigue tests. This paper presents the results of an experimental fatigue campaign led on a cement treated mixture containing reclaimed asphalt material, which gives it viscous properties. Classical cyclic fatigue tension/compression tests on cylindrical samples are considered. Damage is characterized all over the test duration using complex modulus measurements in the axial loading direction (quasistatic method) and analysis of compression wave propagation in the radial direction (dynamic method). The results show that fatigue phenomenon is clearly observable using compression wave propagation. Moreover, correlations can be found between measurements that are performed by the two methods and for various axial stress levels.