Development of Fatigue Predictive Models for Asphalt Concrete Mixes Containing Electric Arc Furnace Steel Slag Based on Fracture Energy Concept

This research was conducted in order to evaluate fatigue resistance properties of asphalt mixes containing Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel slag. After evaluating properties of EAF steel slag, five sets of mixes were prepared in laboratory. Each set consisted of a combination of a control limestone aggregate mixed with a specific amount of EAF steel slag. Four points bending beam fatigue testing was performed on all mixes (at strain controlled mode). Based on fatigue lives, fatigue predicting models were developed. Moreover, a fatigue prediction model which was obtained from indirect tensile test, resilient modulus and was based on fracture energy was developed. The results showed that the inclusion of EAF in mixes improved fatigue life of mixes considerably. Very good correlations were observed between responses and fatigue life of mixes. In addition, models based on fracture energy (DEf/DEIDT) predicted reasonably well fatigue life of mixes containing EAF materials