Fatigue Performance Evaluation of Rubberized Porous European Mixture by Simplified Viscoelastic Continuum Damage Model

Abstract

The study investigated the fatigue performance of rubberized porous European mix (PEM) and control PEM and the influence introducing methods of crumb rubber modifier (CRM) on the fatigue performance of PEM. Four PEM mixtures were used: rubberized PEM in dry process, rubberized PEM in wet process, rubberized PEM with terminal blend binder, and control styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) modified PEM. Dynamic modulus and direct tension fatigue tests were performed with an asphalt mixture performance tester system. The fatigue test data were analyzed by the simplified viscoelastic continuum damage theory. There were four main results. First, the rutting resistance of the rubberized PEM in the dry process was similar to that of the wet process but slightly lower than that of the rubberized PEM with the terminal blend binder and SBS modified PEM. Second, the fatigue cracking resistance of the rubberized PEM in the dry process was similar to that of the wet process but significantly lower than those of the rubberized PEM with the terminal blend binder and SBS modified PEM. Third, the use of smaller size CRM and transpolyoctenamer (TOR) in the dry process may have made the properties of the dry process PEM close to those of the wet process. However, the 10% CRM or 4.5% TOR used in the study could not make rubberized PEMs produce longer fatigue life like the control SBS modified PEM. Fourth, the introduction of SBS into rubberized PEM by the terminal blend method may have significantly improved the fatigue performance of PEM.