The laboratory fatigue life determined by this standard for beam specimens have been used to estimate the fatigue life of asphalt concrete pavement layers under repeated traffic loading. Although the field performance of asphalt concrete is impacted by many factors (traffic variation, speed, and wander; climate variation; rest periods between loads; aging; etc.), it has been more accurately predicted when laboratory properties are known along with an estimate of the strain level induced at the layer depth by the traffic wheel load traveling over the pavement.

Note 1—The quality of the results produced by this standard are dependent on the competence of the personnel performing the procedure and the capability, calibration, and maintenance of the equipment used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Specification D3666 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Specification D3666 alone does not completely assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; following the suggestions of Specification D3666 or some similar acceptable guideline provides a means of evaluating and controlling some of those factors.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method provides procedures for determining a unique failure point for estimating the fatigue life of 380 mm (14.96 in.) long by 50 mm (1.97 in.) thick by 63 mm (2.48 in.) wide asphalt concrete beam specimens sawed from laboratory or field compacted asphalt concrete, which are subjected to repeated flexural bending.

1.2 The between-laboratory reproducibility of this test method is being determined and will be available on or before June 2013. Therefore, this test method should not be used for acceptance or rejection of a material for purchasing purposes.

1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.

1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. Other units of measurement included in this standard are for information only.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates

D140 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials

D979 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Paving Mixtures

D2041 Test Method for Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity and Density of Bituminous Paving Mixtures

D3203 Test Method for Percent Air Voids in Compacted Dense and Open Bituminous Paving Mixtures

D3549 Test Method for Thickness or Height of Compacted Bituminous Paving Mixture Specimens

D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials

D5361 Practice for Sampling Compacted Bituminous Mixtures for Laboratory Testing

E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications

AASHTO Standards

Keywords

asphalt concrete fatigue; asphalt concrete flexural testing; asphalt concrete stiffness; asphalt concrete tensile testing; fatigue life; flexural bending; Asphalt concrete; Fatigue life; Flexural testing;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 91.100.50 (Binders. Sealing materials)

Citing ASTM Standards

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