Research on Fatigue Damage and Crack Propagation of Pre-Cut Seam Asphalt Mixture Composite Beams

Authors

HUANG Dengke, Wuhan Chengfa Testing Technology Co ., Ltd., Wuhan, Hubei 433000, ChinaFollow
LIU Hongfu, School of Transportation, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410114, ChinaFollow

Corresponding Author

刘宏富, 男, 博士, 副教授. E-mail: lhf0625@csust.edu.cn

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of reflective cracking on the fatigue performance of asphalt pavements subjected to milling and resurfacing under varying service conditions. The fatigue life of composite beams was evaluated via four-point bending fatigue tests, considering the effects of different stress ratios, soaking durations, air void contents, and types of tack coat. Meanwhile, the digital image correlation (DIC) technique was employed to analyze the crack propagation behavior of composite beams. To accurately characterize the failure of composite beam specimens, the dynamic modulus was employed to define damage variables, enabling the calculation of critical fatigue damage for the composite beams. A nonlinear fatigue damage model, accounting for critical damage under multi-factor influences, was subsequently proposed. In addition, a modified Logistic function model was developed to analyze crack propagation behavior and fatigue life of composite beams under diverse stress ratios, air void conditions, and tack coat configurations. The results indicate that at different stress levels, the modulus of composite beams decreases with crack propagation, and the decay rate is proportional to the crack growth rate. At the same stress level, the modulus decay curves and crack propagation curves intersect as the life ratio increases. This intersection marks the transition from a stable state to an unstable state, beyond which cracks propagate rapidly and the modulus declines sharply until specimen failure. The modulus ratios corresponding to these intersection points are consistently within the range of 0.5‒0.6. Based on these findings, it is recommended that milled and resurfaced asphalt pavements be maintained promptly before their modulus decreases by 50%. This research provides a decision-making basis for the maintenance and management of asphalt pavements.

Publication Date

10-27-2025

DOI

10.14048/j.issn.1671-2579.2025.05.013

First Page

122

Last Page

130

Submission Date

November 2025

Recommended Citation

Dengke, HUANG and Hongfu, LIU (2025) "Research on Fatigue Damage and Crack Propagation of Pre-Cut Seam Asphalt Mixture Composite Beams," Journal of China & Foreign Highway: Vol. 45: Iss. 5, Article 13.
DOI: 10.14048/j.issn.1671-2579.2025.05.013
Available at: https://zwgl1980.csust.edu.cn/journal/vol45/iss5/13

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