Comparison between tensile, stiffness and fatigue life tests results

Abstract

A laboratory mechanical test is being implemented in the University of Minho to evaluate the asphalt-aggregate interaction. This test measures the tensile properties of the bituminous mixture in the interface between the asphalt and the aggregates. By using the tensile test it is intended to observe how the asphalt-aggregate interaction influences the mechanical properties of the bituminous mixtures, namely, stiffness modulus and fatigue life. The tensile test results must have a good correlation to the ones of the stiffness and fatigue life tests in order to assure that the tensile test can be used to investigate the influence of the asphalt-aggregate interaction in the mechanical behaviour of the bituminous mixtures. Thus, this paper presents the comparison between the tensile strength results and the fatigue life and stiffness modulus results of the corresponding mixtures.