Evaluation of the influence of water and temperature on the rheological behavior and resistance to fatigue of asphalt mixtures Adosindro Joaquim de Almeida ⇑ , Leto Momm, Glicério Trichês, Keyla Junko Shinohara Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Post-Graduation in Civil Engineering (PPGEC), Rua João Pio Duarte Silva, CEP: 88040-970, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil highlights  Complex modulus and fatigue tests with and without immersion in water.  Degradation of asphalt mixtures during cycles of immersion and drying.  The effect of water and temperature on the rheological-mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures.  Introduction of the damage factor (D) into the Huet-Sayegh model. article info Article history: Received 12 July 2017 Received in revised form 26 September 2017 Accepted 4 October 2017 Keywords: Asphalt mixtures Water effect Temperature effect Complex modulus Fatigue life Huet-Sayegh’s rheological model abstract Damage caused to asphalt layers by the action of traffic load, along with water and temperature, is the main factor responsible for the progressive deterioration of pavement structures. Although many studies have been carried out and the effect of water on asphalt mixtures has been reported, this phenomenon is not yet taken into consideration in models for dimensioning the thickness of asphalt layers. This paper reports the results of a study on the effect of water and temperature on the rheological behavior, complex modulus and fatigue resistance of an asphalt mixture formulated with a conventional asphalt binder with a penetration grade of 30/45. This evaluation was carried out through 2-point bending (2PB) tests, where trapezoidal specimens were submitted to wetting-drying cycles at 60 °C and then tested with immersion in water at different temperatures. On comparing the results with those obtained from specimens tested without conditioning and immersion and employing Huet-Sayegh’s rheological model with the introduc- tion of the damage factor (D), it was possible to evaluate the effect of the action of water and temperature on the graphical representation of the complex modulus and on the reduction in the fatigue life of the asphalt mixture. The results obtained highlight the need to take into account the action of water and tem- perature on the dimensioning of the thickness of the asphalt layers as well as on the prediction of the lifespan of these coatings, mainly in regions with a tropical climate. Ó 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction The effects of the action of water on the behavior of asphalt mixtures have been studied for many years. As a result, tests have been designed to predict this deleterious action, for instance, the moisture-induced damage test. The moisture factor is associated with the sensitivity of asphalt mixtures to water, directly affecting their constituent materials and chemical binders and the adhesive- ness between them. Thus, the degradation of asphalt pavements due to the effect of the action of water and temperature is a com- mon cause of damage to asphalt layers. In countries with a warm and humid climate, characterized as tropical, the degradation of asphalt mixtures in the structures of road pavements due to the deleterious action of water along with the temperature gradient and the action of traffic are factors that affect the functional and structural conditions throughout the lifes- pan of the pavement structure [15]. The phenomenon of cycles of rain and dry conditions with high temperature increases the level of damage to the pavement, generating a need for the costly main- tenance and restoration of highways. Two tests are generally employed to evaluate the water sensi- tivity of asphalt mixtures: The modified Lottman test [2], an Amer- ican methodology, and the Duriez test [9], a French methodology, are used to evaluate the influence of water on asphalt concrete during the preparation stage of asphalt mixtures when mixtures can be rejected or used in the formulation depending on the https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.10.030 0950-0618/Ó 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. ⇑ Corresponding author. E-mail address: adosindro@gmail.com (A.J. de Almeida). Construction and Building Materials 158 (2018) 401–409 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Construction and Building Materials journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/conbuildmat