Experimental study on creep-fatigue damage of hot central plant recycling asphalt mixture containing high RAP

Abstract

The objective of this study is to delve into the nonlinear damage evolution mechanism of hot central plant recycling asphalt mixture under the influence of creep-fatigue interaction. A predictive model for lifespan, considering the interaction of temperature and load, was developed. Dynamic creep tests were conducted at different temperatures to assess the creep effect of the asphalt mixture under actual road temperature conditions. The investigation began by acknowledging the material's viscoelastic properties, thereby deriving the loss compliance value - a key indicator of temperature effects - using an equivalent conversion factor and a viscoelastic mechanics model. This allowed for the incorporation of creep behavior into the load system. Furthermore, to analyze the nonlinear damage mechanism and fatigue prediction mechanism, direct tensile fatigue tests were performed at different temperatures and different stress levels. The fatigue damage evolution law of hot central plant recycling asphalt mixture containing high RAP considering the creep effect was revealed, and the fatigue life evaluation method under the combined action of temperature and stress level was proposed. The results show that the fitting degree of the time-temperature conversion equation and the viscoelastic mechanics model to the test data is more than 0.9, and the derived loss compliance value better captures the creep effect. Based on the nonlinear creep-fatigue damage model, the damage law of high-RAP hot central plant recycling asphalt mixture was identified. The optimized fatigue life prediction model fully considers the combined effect of temperature and stress level and analyzes the influence parameters of the real state of pavement fatigue. The prediction accuracy is within the requirements of engineering applications. The model's predictive accuracy meets the criteria for engineering applications, enhancing the multifaceted damage coupling analysis approach for hot central plant recycling asphalt mixture and predict the service life of recycled pavements under complex conditions, establishing a groundwork for the prediction and assessment of long-lasting recycled pavements.