This report describes a laboratory investigation into the effect of secondary compaction under "traffic" on the fatigue performance of a hot-rolled asphalt basecourse material. The investigation forms part of a research programme to study the effect of repeated loading on bituminous materials. A rolling wheel machine was used to produce secondary compaction in a sample of material. the machine and its use are described. The compacted material was then tested under repeated axial loading and its fatigue performance compared with similar material that had not been trafficked. The effect of secondary compaction was to increase the density and stiffness of material, and to prolong its fatigue life. Good correlation was obtained between cyclic strain and fatigue endurance. (Author/publisher)
Abstract