Standard Test Method for Determining Fatigue Failure of Compacted Asphalt Concrete Subjected to Repeated Flexural Bending

The laboratory fatigue life determined by this standard for beam specimens have been used to estimate the fatigue life of asphalt concrete pavement layers under repeated traffic loading. Although the field performance of asphalt concrete is impacted by many factors (traffic variation, speed, and wander; climate variation; rest periods between loads; aging; etc.), it has been more accurately predicted when laboratory properties are known along with an estimate of the strain level induced at the layer depth by the traffic wheel load traveling over the pavement.

Note 1—The quality of the results produced by this standard are dependent on the competence of the personnel performing the procedure and the capability, calibration, and maintenance of the equipment used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Specification D 3666 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Specification D 3666 alone does not completely assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; following the suggestions of Specification D 3666 or some similar acceptable guideline provides a means of evaluating and controlling some of those factors.