ABSTRACT
The paper describes a laboratory evaluation aimed at analyzing the mechanical performance of fiber-reinforced asphalt mixtures for road pavements. Reinforcement with four cellulose-based fiber types was taken into account. A control non-reinforced mixture was also tested for comparison purposes. The comparative mechanical characterization of materials was firstly based on indirect tensile dynamic tests aimed at assessing strength as well as stiffness and dynamic loading resistance, respectively. Such tests were carried out at 25°C and at fixed loading condition. Then, the most promising mixture was selected to study the long-term in-service properties. Fatigue resistance was assessed with four point bending tests at 25°C and 10 Hz, applying different stress levels. Experimental data were analyzed by means of both traditional and advanced energy methods. Results demonstrated that the proposed experimental approach allowed ascertaining the different contribution of the studied fibers.
