ABSTRACT
This paper evaluates the variation of the residual tensile strength of prismatic specimens made of Hot Mixture Asphalt (HMA) due to tensile cyclic loading. The pre-set number of cyclic loads is the fatigue life of the average of 20%, 50%, 65% and 80%. The specimens were submitted to a direct tensile static load test until failure. The tests show a gradual reduction in the residual tensile strength values, in accordance with the number of cycles that are applied. A new definition of damage is introduced, as the relative variation of the tensile strength with the number of cycles. The nonlinear fatigue damage evolution equation based on the residual strength degradation is established. The greater the nominal stress level is, the lower the curve of the damage evolution curve is, and the more moderate fatigue damage evolution speed is, which varies with life radio.
