The accurate characterization of fatigue life affects the durability and reliability of asphalt pavement for the asphalt mixtures. This paper proposed a new fatigue test method and analysis method which, in addition to increasing the accuracy of fatigue characterization, reduces the time and cost consumed in laboratory tests of asphalt mixtures. According to the loading speed corresponding to different loading frequency and stress levels, the corresponding strength value is selected to determine the stress ratio in the fatigue equation. Therefore, the stress ratio can truly reflect the fatigue loading stress conditions and correspond to the fatigue loading speed one by one, avoiding the unscientific fatigue resistance design problem caused by the traditional S-N fatigue equation stress ratio, which takes a single strength value at a constant loading speed as the standard. Since the stress ratio takes into account the influence of loading speed under different loading frequencies and stress levels, a unified representation model of the fatigue equation of the asphalt mixture under different loading frequencies can be established; that is, the fatigue performance of the asphalt mixture under different loading frequencies can be normalized. The results showed that the loading rate in the strength test differed from the loading rate in the traditional fatigue test, which means that the fatigue curve could not be extended to point (1,1) when the fatigue equation was extended to a fatigue life = 1. The fatigue test related to the velocity-dependent stress ratio in multiple experimental works, and data discreteness had a remarkable influence on fatigue characterization. The fatigue curve obtained by the fatigue equation under a constant loading rate was consistent with the fatigue curve under different loading rates. This method can reduce the duration of strength tests and the impact of the strength results of discreteness on fatigue characterization. The fatigue characterization model under constant loading rates considered the viscoelasticity of asphalt mixtures and guaranteed the correspondence of test conditions among stress level t, standard strength St, and fatigue life . The stress levels and loading rates of the asphalt mixtures were confirmed to be equivalent. Furthermore, this paper established the relationship between strength and fatigue and obtained the fatigue life curve of the strength values. The fatigue performance of the asphalt mixtures is evaluated comprehensively.
Replacing natural aggregates in cement-stabilized macadam (CSM) with waste rubber particles reduces mineral resource consumption, manages solid waste, and enhances the long-term performance of cementitious materials, addressing environmental challenges. An optimized gradation of rubber particles was proposed based on different combinations of particle sizes. Five rubber particle combinations with different gradations were incorporated into CSM to create a rubberized cement-stabilized macadam (RCSM). The strength of RCSM was verified through compressive and flexural tensile tests. The toughness of RCSM was evaluated using the flexural ultimate failure strain and flexural tensile resilient modulus. Crack resistance was evaluated through freeze–thaw, fatigue, and shrinkage tests. The results indicate that the compressive and flexural strengths of RCSM with 1.18–4.75 mm rubber particles are closest to those of CSM. The ultimate strain of CSM increased by up to 1.83 times with optimized rubber gradation, while its modulus decreased by more than half. Furthermore, RCSM with 1.18–4.75 mm rubber particles exhibited the best performance in fatigue life under high stress ratio, frost resistance, and shrinkage behavior. Comprehensive test results showed that rubber particles ranging from 1.18 to 2.36 mm were most effective in improving the road performance of RCSM.
With the rapid increase in traffic volume and the number of heavy-duty vehicles, the load on asphalt pavements has increased significantly. Especially on sections with long longitudinal slopes, the internal stress conditions of asphalt pavement have become even more complex. This study aims to investigate the thermal–mechanical coupling behavior of asphalt pavement structures on long longitudinal slopes under the combined influence of temperature fields and moving loads. A pavement temperature field model was developed based on the climatic conditions of Nanning (AAT: 21.8 °C; Tmax: 37 °C; Tmin: 3 °C; AAP: 1453.4 mm). In addition, a three-dimensional finite element model of asphalt pavement structures on long longitudinal slopes was established using finite element software. Variations in pavement mechanical responses were compared under different vehicle axle loads (100–200 kN), slope gradients (0–5%), braking coefficients (0–0.7), and asphalt mixture layer thicknesses (2–8 cm). The results indicate that the pavement structure exhibits a strong capacity for pressure attenuation, with the middle and lower surface layers showing more pronounced stress reduction—up to 40%—significantly greater than the 6.5% observed in the upper surface layer. As the axle load increases from 100 kN to 200 kN, the internal mechanical responses of the pavement show a linear relationship with load magnitude, with an average increase of approximately 29%. In addition, the internal shearing stress of the pavement is more sensitive to changes in slope and braking coefficient; when the slope increases from 0% to 5% and the braking coefficient increases from 0 to 0.7, the shear stress at the bottom of the upper surface layer increases by 12% and 268%, respectively. This study provides guidance for the design of asphalt pavements on long longitudinal slopes. In future designs, special attention should be given to enhancing the shear strength of the surface layer and improving the interlayer bonding performance. In particular, under conditions of steep slopes and frequent heavy vehicle traffic, the thickness and modulus of the upper surface asphalt mixture may be appropriately increased.