FATIGUE TESTS ON BITUMINOUS COMPOSITES: BALANCE BETWEEN DAMAGE AND RECOVERING

Abstract eng:
Introducing rest periods during fatigue tests can significantly improve the remaining lifetime of bituminous mixes. An experimental protocol has been designed such as to study the range and kinetics of loss of stiffness and recovering of properties during rest periods. The range of the maximum recovery depends on the number of cycles previously applied. Recovery is not permanent and the loss of stiffness speeds up under repeated fatigue sequences. The speed of loss of stiffness seems to be a damage indicator. It evolves differently according to the fact that the specimen has (or not) previously been subjected to more agressive solicitations. This points out the fact that the mix « keeps in memory » previous loadings.

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