A Model for the Prediction of the Elastic Stiffness of Bituminous Mixtures Under Pulse Loading

In this paper the Authors present the results which stem from the extended use of the repeated load indirect tensile (RLIT) test in the Road Materials Laboratory of the Politecnico di Torino. In first place, the significance of RLIT measurements is discussed by analysing critical strain histories which occur both in test samples during pulse loading and in pavements under the effects of moving vehicles. Moreover, an original prediction model of the elastic stiffness is proposed. Such a model was derived from an experimental database built on 146 different mixtures which include a great variety of compositions, mixture types and levels of compaction. The proposed model proved to be reliable and consistent with respect to other models and may therefore be used in the context of both mix design and pavement analysis.