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An Investigation of the Endurance Limit of Hot-Mix Asphalt Concrete Using a New Uniaxial Fatigue Test Protocol
Final Report

Report Cover

University-Based Research, Education, and Technology Transfer Program
Contract NO. DTFH61-05-P-00159

Prepared for
Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
By
Ali Soltani, Mansour Solaimanian, and David A. Anderson

The Pennsylvania Transportation Institute
The Pennsylvania State University
Transportation Research Building
University Park, PA 16802-4710
(814) 865-1891
http://www.pti.psu.edu/

May 31, 2006
PTI 2006-17

This work was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

Acknowledgments

This project was funded by Federal Highway Administration contract FHWA DTFH61-05-P-00159. The support of Mr. John D'Angelo of the Federal Highway Administration is greatly appreciated. Mr. Darin Hunter is also acknowledged for assistance provided in the laboratory.

NECEPT (Northeast Center of Excellence for Pavement Technology) logo Penn State logo

1. Report No.
FHWA-HIF-07-002
2. Government Accession No.
 
3. Recipient's Catalog No.
 
4. Title and Subtitle
An Investigation of the Endurance Limit of Hot-Mix Asphalt Concrete Using a New Uniaxial Fatigue Test Protocol
5. Report Date
May 31, 2006
6. Performing Organization Code
 
7. Author(s)
Ali Soltani, Mansour Solaimanian, and David A. Anderson
8. Performing Organization Report No.
2006-17
9. Performing Organization Name and Address
The Pennsylvania Transportation Institute
Transportation Research Building
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802-4710
10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)
 
11. Contract or Grant No.
DTFH61-05-P-00159
12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address
Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Acquisition Management
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590
13. Type of Report and Period Covered
Final Report
6/16/2005 - 12/31/2005
14. Sponsoring Agency Code
 
15. Supplementary Notes
COTR: John D'Angelo, 202-366-0121
16. Abstract

A research study was undertaken to investigate the existence of an endurance limit for hot-mix asphalt concrete using a new uniaxial fatigue testing protocol. The study included testing of four different mixtures. Cylindrical specimens, 120 mm in height and 80 mm in diameter, were tested by applying a tension-compression loading at 10°C and 10 Hz. Each test included millions of cycles of sinusoidal loading with strain amplitudes of 20 and 30 µ-strain. The test results indicated that three of the mixtures tested exhibit an endurance limit below which no fatigue damage is expected regardless of the number of loading cycles applied. However, an endurance limit was not observed for one of the mixtures. This observation does not necessarily imply that for these mixtures such a limit does not exist, because some of the damage observed was the result of testing anomalies. Several problems with the data acquisition system as well as with the temperature control in the testing chamber caused interruptions in the testing. Although during the times that the test was being conducted excellent temperature and load control was exercised, some incremental improvements in the testing apparatus will be needed to remove the anomalies that were observed. A follow-on study is recommended during which the cause of the anomalies, their effect on the measured endurance limit, and means for their minimization would be studied. The improved procedure should then be extended to additional mixtures tested at different temperatures and strain levels.

17. Key Words
Fatigue, asphalt mixture, asphalt binder, uniaxial test, endurance limit
18. Distribution Statement
No restrictions. This document is available from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161
19. Security Classification (of this report)
Unclassified
20. Security Classification (of this page)
Unclassified
21. No. of Pages
57
22. Price
 
Form DOT F 1700.7(8-72)Reproduction of completed page authorized

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Updated: 06/27/2017
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000