This study presents a systematic review of fatigue analysis methodologies and failure criteria for asphalt binders and mixtures employed in various cyclic fatigue testing configurations. The investigation focuses on two principal predictive approaches: phenomenological models and mechanistic frameworks, which are commonly utilized to forecast asphalt pavement fatigue life based on experimental data from different fatigue tests. A critical evaluation is conducted on the diverse failure criteria integrated within these analytical approaches, with particular emphasis on their respective merits and limitations. The current research findings reveal a notable absence of consensus regarding the precise definition of the fatigue failure criteria for asphalt materials. Furthermore, critical parameters including accuracy assessment, reliability verification, and sensitivity analysis of these failure criteria are identified as requiring enhanced research attention. This review recommends specific fatigue failure criteria classified according to fatigue testing methods and material types. This comprehensive analysis of fatigue failure mechanisms in asphalt composites aims to inform strategic refinements for future research trajectories and enhance durability-oriented pavement design practices.

Zero shear viscosity (ZSV) has been proven to be a reasonable indicator for characterizing the high-temperature performance of asphalt binders. Various test methods and models have been used in the literature to determine the ZSV, while no consistent result can be obtained. In addition, the differences and similarities among these methods are not yet clear, which can often bring difficulties and confusion to researchers when trying to implement the ZSV methods. This paper aims to evaluate the applicability of different test methods and rheological models in determining the ZSVs of asphalts. The shear rate sweep test, frequency sweep test, and creep test were performed on 60/80 and 80/100 pen grade base asphalts and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified asphalt, and ZSVs were determined using Carreau’s model, Carreau-Yasuda model, Cross/Sybilski’s model, Cross/Williamson’s model, Burger’s model, the threshold method, and the ratio method. The test results showed that the shear rate sweep test and the creep test have lower variability and better applicability than the frequency sweep test, and the four rheological models and the threshold method used in the shear rate sweep test could determine the ZSV well. In the frequency sweep test, the Cross/Sybilski’s model failed to determine the ZSVs of all asphalts, and the ZSV of SBS asphalt could only be calculated by the ratio method. Under different test methods and models, the ZSVs of each base asphalt were similar, while that of SBS asphalt were significantly different. Considering the time consumption and applicability of the test, the shear rate sweep test seems to be the most promising test method for determining ZSVs.

This study presents a systematic review of fatigue analysis methodologies and failure criteria for asphalt binders and mixtures employed in various cyclic fatigue testing configurations. The investigation focuses on three principal predictive approaches: phenomenological models, mechanistic frameworks, and artificial neural network implementations, which are commonly utilized to forecast asphalt pavement fatigue life based on experimental data from different fatigue tests. A critical evaluation is conducted on the diverse failure criteria integrated within these analytical approaches, with particular emphasis on their respective merits and limitations. Current research findings reveal a notable absence of consensus regarding the precise definition of fatigue failure criteria for asphalt materials. Furthermore, critical parameters including accuracy assessment, reliability verification, and sensitivity analysis of these failure criteria are identified as requiring enhanced research attention. The review proposes several innovative methodologies and criteria formulations that could potentially advance theoretical understanding in this field. This comprehensive analysis of fatigue failure mechanisms in asphalt composites aims to inform strategic refinements for future research trajectories and enhance durability-oriented pavement design practices.