Approach to fatigue performance using Fénix test for asphalt mixtures

Fatigue is one of the most common causes of damage in bituminous pavements. However, since fatigue characterization requires complex cyclic tests, this property is not usually taken into account when designing bituminous mixtures. The present study introduces a new methodology to assess fatigue behavior of bituminous mixtures by means of a simpler procedure based on a new fracture test called Fénix. Several bituminous mixtures were tested at the Road Research Laboratory of the Technical University of Catalonia using the Fénix test and the three-point bending beam fatigue test, which complies with the new European standard UNE-EN 12697-24:2006. Results show that this new methodology assesses fatigue behavior of bituminous mixes by correlations between both tests. In addition, the procedure can be used to relate stiffness and dissipated energy parameters obtained in the cracking process, which allows the choice of mixtures with better fatigue performance considering the thermal conditions to which mixtures will be subjected during their service life.