Three conventional asphalt concrete mixtures containing one aggregate of a given size distribution and bitumens of different stiffness obtained from one and the same source are characterised with regard to rheological properties using uniaxial testing. Both non-destructive complex modulus and fatigue testing at different temperatures are performed. The results obtained from the non-destructive testing indicate that the mixtures studied exhibit similar rheological properties ( stiffness and phase angle) in the range investigated, if compared at different temperatures ( similar rheological state). The results presented also suggest that fatigue deterioration to a great extent is determined by the rheological status of the mixture. Some aspects on the test procedure, such as adequate strain measurement and heating during destructive ( fatigue) testing as well as fatigue life characterisation using the classical approach, are discussed. (C) 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers.