The ageing phenomenon and moisture damage become key factors to evaluate mixture cracking resistance. In this paper, the effect of ageing and water on cracking resistance and fatigue behavior in a bituminous mixture is studied. Specimens were tested by a direct tensile test (Fénix test) to obtain fracture energy values whereas variation of complex modulus and dissipated energy density was obtained by a strain sweep fatigue test (EBADE test). Results show a significant reduction in cracking resistance and fatigue life of the mixture after ageing (failure strain is reduced approximately by 35%). Water in standard conditions has very little influence.
展开▼
