Micromechanics modeling of viscoelastic asphalt-filler composite system with and without fatigue cracks

Fatigue cracking of viscoelastic asphalt composite materials is one the major distresses in pavements. To quantify weakening effect fatigue cracks on mechanical properties materials, this study takes an asphalt-filler system as example, and micromechanics models are proposed by combining Eshbely’s equivalent inclusion theory Mori-Tanaka approach. Dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) tests performed systems with two volumetric contents (10% 27%) at different frequencies (0.1–100 Hz), temperatures (15℃, 20℃, 25℃) strain levels (0.01%-0.1% for nondestructive DSR tests; 5%, 6%, 7% destructive tests). Results show that predicted modulus results a modified strengthening coefficient (VSC) model match test both low high filler contents. Then (VSC-f) proved being capable accurately predicting levels, temperatures, damage levels. Both VSC VSC-f derived to be dependent loading frequency, temperature content, but independent level.