Application of the calibrated mechanistic approach with surface energy (CMSE) measurements for fatigue characterization of asphalt mixtures
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In this paper, a new Calibrated Mechanistic approach with Surface Energy (CMSE) measurements for fatigue characterization of hot-mix asphalt concrete (HMAC) mixtures is presented. The CMSE is a continuum micromechanics fatigue analysis approach based on Schapery's work potential theory, the visco-elastic correspondence principle, Paris' Law of fracture mechanics, and the energy concepts developed at Texas A&M University. The second objective of the study was to demonstrate the applicability of the CMSE approach for fatigue characterization of HMAC mixtures including investigating the effects of binder oxidative aging. To achieve these objectives, two Texas HMAC mixtures with different mix-design parameters and material characteristics subjected to three accelerated laboratory aging exposure conditions were evaluated. Analysis of the results indicated that the CMSE approach provides a promising methodology for fatigue characterization of HMAC mixtures based on fundamental mixture properties obtained from relatively simple laboratory material characteristic tests and a realistic fatigue failure criterion. The results obtained were comparable with other existing mechanisticempirically based fatigue analysis approaches, and in fact exhibited significantly lower statistical variability. For the materials and test conditions considered in the study, binder oxidative aging reduced HMAC mixture fatigue resistance and its potential to heal. This finding signifies the importance of incorporating aging effects into the fatigue design and analysis of HMAC mixtures to ensure adequate fatigue performance. However, more research and HMAC mixture fatigue characterization is strongly recommended to further validate the CMSE approach.
