Numerical investigation to predict fatigue damage response in high-modulus asphalt mixture: a coupled damage-visco-elastoplastic approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this paper, fatigue response under cyclic loading of a high-modulus asphalt mixture (EME14) is numerically investigated based on a coupling approach between damage mechanics and visco-elastoplasticity. The DBN (Di Benedetto-Neifar) model along, an isotropic damage, and a fatigue damage law are adopted to implement both visco-elastoplastic and damage constitutive equations. A set of laboratory experiments are conducted to calibrate the numerical model parameters. In the small deformation domain, complex modulus test results (complex modulus and viscosity) were experimentally fitted based on the 2S2P1D model. Direct tension parameters (stress levels in tension and in compression) were identified through the Di Benedetto viscoplastic criterion. Then, the experimental results of the fatigue test were interpreted to evaluate the damage amount associated with each cycle N and accordingly processed by the DGCB method, developed at the ENTPE (École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l’Etat), to eliminate parasitic effects commonly present in fatigue tests. Hence, a MATLAB program was implemented for uniaxial tension and compression load to estimate damage and fatigue modulus. The consistency between the numerical model outcomes and the experimental measurements showcased the capability of our coupling approach to accurately predict fatigue response under cyclic loading of a high-modulus asphalt mixture (EME14).