Development and Evaluation of Dynamic Flexural Beam Fatigue Test System

Abstract

Although both mix variables and environmental variables are known to affect the fatigue response of asphalt-aggregate mixes, other factors—including specimen fabrication procedure and test equipment and procedures—are equally important. The development of a dynamic flexural beam fatigue test system is described, and the effects of specimen compaction method and equipment type on the precision of in situ fatigue lives of asphalt-aggregate mixes predicted by using laboratory strain-life relationships are discussed. Results indicate a coefficient of variation of 41 percent in fatigue life for the new fatigue equipment compared with one of 93 percent for an earlier electropneumatic version. The specimen compaction method was also found to influence significantly the precision of the predicted fatigue life. A 33 percent difference in coefficients of variation between the fatigue response of rolling wheel–compacted specimens and kneading-compacted specimens was observed. Consequently, twice as many specimens are required to achieve a given level of precision in in situ predicted fatigue life if kneading compaction is used instead of rolling wheel compaction. Similarly, if a pneumatic system and associated test procedure are used, approximately 12 times as many specimens are required to achieve similar precision in predicted fatigue life compared with the new servohydraulic fatigue test system.