Repeated-load tests were conducted in the laboratory on an alternative low-strength roller-compacted concrete material containing cement-bound reclaimed crushed aggregate, Class C fly ash, and strip reinforcement made of waste high-density polyethylene plastic. During cyclic loading tests, the dynamic midspan deflection was recorded for all loading cycles to failure for the purpose of characterizing the damage accumulation process in the material. The primary motivation for evaluating this composite (with >90% recycled materials) was to develop an alternative high-quality foundation layer for a conventional flexible or rigid pavement while addressing such an increasingly crucial issue as solid waste disposal in the United States. The main objectives of this endeavor were to evaluate the flexural fatigue behavior of the new composite and to evaluate the accumulation of fatigue damage in the material. Results indicate that the fatigue strength and endurance limit of this material are similar to those of traditional stabilized pavement materials. A nonlinear power law is suggested to describe the relationship between the accumulated permanent deformation and the expended fatigue life. Fatigue damage computed using a dissipated energy approach indicated that damage accumulation in this material approximately follows Miner's rule for cumulative damage, which is often used in pavement engineering. Results of this study provide insight into the durability characteristics of these emerging new alternative materials.
Abstract