Mixed‐Mode Fracture Behavior of Asphalt Concrete Using Single‐Edge Notched Beam

ABSTRACT This study investigates the mixed‐mode fracture behavior of asphalt concrete using Single‐Edge Notched Beam (SENB) specimens subjected to various combinations of tensile and shear stresses. Five stress conditions were achieved by adjusting the support positions and fracture tests were conducted to obtain load line displacement (LLD) curves and key fracture parameters. Three representative loading conditions were further simulated using the cohesive zone model (CZM) in ABAQUS to examine damage evolution and crack propagation. The experimental results indicate that as the loading condition transitions from pure tension (Mode I) to mixed tension‐shear and then to pure shear (Mode II), the fracture behavior changes from ductile to brittle, accompanied by increases in fracture energy, peak load, and displacement at peak load, while the mixed‐mode fracture toughness initially decreases and subsequently increases. The simulations confirm that the CZM can accurately model mixed‐mode (I–II) fracture and capture the evolution of tensile and shear stress distributions during loading.