Material characterization for studing flexible pavement behavior in fatigue and permanent deformation

Mixtures' performances in fatigue and rutting were investigated. Different aggregates and gradations were studied in these mixtures. The aggregates and gradations chosen were investigated using Marshall design criteria. These aggregates were first evaluated for basic material characteristics such as specific gravity and water absorption for both fine and course fractions. Also, the Marshall stability, density and air voids contents were known at different asphalt contents. To investigate rutting susceptibility for different mixes under study, a dynamic uniaxial loading in which the dynamic stress intensities were varied within a certain range to simulate field conditions was conducted. All mixtures studied in fatigue showed that the crack propagation rate versus stress intensity factors can be represented with a polynomial of a second degree. Statistical relations were developed to correlate the rutting and fatigue parameters under investigation in this study with other mix variables. The rutting parameters were found mostly to be influenced by asphalt contents and aggregate type. The fatigue parameters were found to be affected by asphalt contents, gradations and modulus of elasticity.