Linking fatigue response of asphalt binders, mastics, and asphalt concrete mixture modified by nano-silica and synthesized polyurethane

Asphalt concrete is composed of stone, sand, filler, and asphalt binder. Fatigue can be considered as a phenomenon affecting both the binder (asphalt binder or mastic) and the mixture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the fatigue damage response in asphalt binders, mastics, and asphalt concrete mixtures modified with nano-silica and synthesized polyurethane. The continuum damage mechanics method and phenomenological approaches in this study were used to investigate the fatigue performance. Obtained results indicated that the effect of the synthesized polyurethane on improving the fatigue life was far greater than that of nano-silica. The damage process in asphalt binders differed from that in the mastic and asphalt concrete mixture. Damage intensity parameter is an appropriate criterion for evaluating fatigue performance of asphalt binders and mastics. Concerning the fatigue of asphalt concrete mixture, the results of this study indicated a better convergence between the fatigue parameters of mastics and asphalt concrete mixture compared to asphalt binders, especially with increasing aging. Also, there was greater convergence between the fatigue life of the asphalt concrete mixture and asphalt binder and mastics in the method of continuum damage mechanics as compared to the phenomenological approach.