Differences in cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures due to ageing and moisture damage

The ageing phenomenon and moisture damage become key factors to evaluate mixture cracking resistance. In this paper, the effect of ageing and water on cracking resistance and fatigue behavior in a bituminous mixture is studied. Specimens were tested by a direct tensile test (Fénix test) to obtain fracture energy values whereas variation of complex modulus and dissipated energy density was obtained by a strain sweep fatigue test (EBADE test). Results show a significant reduction in cracking resistance and fatigue life of the mixture after ageing (failure strain is reduced approximately by 35%). Water in standard conditions has very little influence.