ABSTRACT
Abstract This paper describes the preliminary results of a research program into the appl i cab i l i ty of the Absolute Rate Theory (ART) to predict the cracking of asphalt concrete. This theory i s based upon the assumption that the material i s bui ld up with bonds, which w i l l break or form during the time of loading. For this purpose dynamic tests with a sinusoidal displacement signal are carried out on dense asphalt concrete bars at various temperatures. During the fatigue tests the crack growth in the bars i s measured. Based on the results calculations are carried out with a l inear-e las t i c f in i t e element method (FEM) program to simulate the uniaxial tensile test. The ARTparameters to predict the cracking of the dense asphalt concrete slabs are also determined.
