ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Considering that most of time, cracks in bituminous mixes occur inside the binder/mastic film, it can be assumed that fatigue properties of the bitumen itself could give accurate information on the fatigue behaviour of mixes. It has been already demonstrated that a strong link exists between bitumen and mixes fatigue properties. From these previous studies, it is clear that when the same composition is used, mixes can be ranked as the corresponding binders. Whereas numerous studies have been conducted on shear fatigue properties using Dynamic shear Rheometer (DSR), only a few data obtained with other modes of loading are available.Knowing that mixes are tested in mode I crack opening, it seems interesting to test binders under the same fracture mode. For these reasons, the present study focuses on the design of a tension-compression fatigue test as well as the interpretation of the first results taking into account the rheological phenomena occurring during the test.
