The phenomenon of cyclic hardening is observed in fatigue tests of modified asphalt controlled by low strain / stress level and it is not clear how the phenomenon affects the fatigue properties of binders. The special time weep tests were performed to investigate the point. Tests results indicate that the cyclic hardening is caused by the rearrangement of molecules in binders, and it can make the inner structure of binders getting stable and increase the fatigue properties of asphalt binders. But fatigue damage occurs when fatigue tests start, no matter the phenomenon of cyclic hardening happens or not. If the controlled load is low, the effect of rearrangement of molecules on material is beyond the effect of fatigue damage so that the cyclic hardening can be observed. When the load conditions get worse, the effect of slight fatigue damages produced in hardening stage will show.

       Key words: modified asphalt; fatigue properties; cyclic hardening