Three-Dimensional Characterization and Evaluation of Aggregate Skeleton of Asphalt Mixture Based on Force-Chain Analysis
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 147, Issue 2
Abstract
Aggregates in contact constitute the skeleton of the asphalt mixture and affect load transmission in the mixture, which determines its deformation resistance. The objective of this study is to characterize the aggregate skeleton for the evaluation of the stability of the asphalt mixture. The methodology has four main steps: (1) aggregates in specimens are three-dimensionally (3D) reconstructed before surface triangulation; (2) the geometry and orientation of contact areas between aggregates are detected to obtain the contact network of aggregates; (3) effective contacts are identified to determine force chains represented by a weighted directed graph; and (4) all force chains constitute the aggregate skeleton, which is then evaluated for load transfer efficiency by the characterization of the skeleton. Simulations of compression tests on three virtual specimens with different skeletons were conducted to obtain the stress and strain distribution within the mixture. The results indicate that a skeleton with a higher evaluation index has a more uniform stress and strain distribution, which indicates that the mixture bears the load better to resist deformation. The proposed method also facilitates the study of the correlation between the mixture stability and the gradation and morphology of aggregates.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some data, models, and code generated or used during the study are available from the corresponding author on request, which include (1) the solid models of aggregates in the SAT format and (2) the three asphalt specimens designed virtually in the SAT format.
Acknowledgments
The research reported in this paper is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51978228, 51508147, and 51780114) and the Australia-Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme (No. 57446137).
References
Asi, I. M. 2006. “Laboratory comparison study for the use of stone matrix asphalt in hot weather climates.” Constr. Build. Mater. 20 (10): 982–989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.06.011.
Cai, X., and D. Y. Wang. 2013. “Evaluation of rutting performance of asphalt mixture based on the granular media theory and aggregate contact characteristics.” Road Mater. Pavement Des. 14 (2): 325–340. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2013.794368.
Cai, X., K. H. Wu, W. K. Huang, and C. Wan. 2018. “Study on the correlation between aggregate skeleton characteristics and rutting performance of asphalt mixture.” Constr. Build. Mater. 179 (Aug): 294–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.05.153.
Coenen, A. R., M. E. Kutay, N. R. Sefidmazgi, and H. U. Bahia. 2012. “Aggregate structure characterisation of asphalt mixtures using two-dimensional image analysis.” Road Mater. Pavement Des. 13 (3): 433–454. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2012.711923.
Ding, X. H., T. Ma, and W. Gao. 2017. “Morphological characterization and mechanical analysis for coarse aggregate skeleton of asphalt mixture based on discrete-element modeling.” Constr. Build. Mater. 154 (Nov): 1048–1061. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.08.008.
Ding, X. H., T. Ma, and X. M. Huang. 2019. “Discrete-element contour-filling modeling method for micromechanical and macromechanical analysis of aggregate skeleton of asphalt mixture.” J. Transp. Eng., Part A: Systems 145 (1): 04018056. https://doi.org/10.1061/JPEODX.0000083.
Ding, X. H., T. Ma, W. G. Zhang, D. Y. Zhang, and T. Yin. 2018. “Effects by property homogeneity of aggregate skeleton on creep performance of asphalt concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 171 (May): 205–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.03.150.
Gao, J. F., H. N. Wang, Y. Bu, Z. P. You, M. R. M. Hasan, and M. Irfan. 2018. “Effects of coarse aggregate angularity on the microstructure of asphalt mixture.” Constr. Build. Mater. 183 (Sep): 472–484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.06.170.
Gong, F. Y., X. D. Zhou, Z. P. You, Y. Liu, and S. Y. Chen. 2018. “Using discrete element models to track movement of coarse aggregates during compaction of asphalt mixture.” Constr. Build. Mater. 189 (Nov): 338–351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.08.133.
Jin, C., S. G. Li, and X. Yang. 2020a. “Adaptive three-dimensional aggregate shape fitting and mesh optimization for finite-element modeling.” J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 34 (4): 04020020. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000902.
Jin, C., S. G. Li, X. Yang, X. D. Zhou, and Z. P. You. 2020b. “Aggregate representation approach in 3D discrete-element modeling supporting adaptive shape and mass property fitting of realistic aggregates.” J. Eng. Mech. 146 (6): 04020042. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0001745.
Jin, C., Z. P. You, W. H. Zhang, and K. Liu. 2016. “Microstructural modeling method for asphalt specimens supporting 3D adaptive and automatic mesh generation.” J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 30 (2): 04015013. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000478.
Jin, C., F. L. Zou, X. Yang, and K. Liu. Forthcoming. “3-D virtual design and microstructural modeling of asphalt mixture based on a digital aggregate library.” Comput. Struct. 242 (Jan): 106378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2020.106378.
Jin, C., F. L. Zou, X. Yang, K. Liu, P. F. Liu, and M. Oeser. 2020c. “Three-dimensional quantification and classification approach for angularity and surface texture based on surface triangulation of reconstructed aggregates.” Constr. Build. Mater. 246 (Jun): 118120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118120.
Jin, C., F. L. Zou, X. Yang, and Z. P. You. 2019. “3D quantification for aggregate morphology using surface discretization based on solid modeling.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 31 (7): 04019123. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002766.
Khalilitehrani, M., S. Sasic, and A. Rasmuson. 2018. “Characterization of force networks in a dense high-shear system.” Particuology 38 (Jun): 215–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2017.11.001.
Kim, S., R. Roque, B. Birgisson, and A. Guarin. 2009. “Porosity of the dominant aggregate size range to evaluate coarse aggregate structure of asphalt mixtures.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 21 (1): 32–39. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0899-1561(2009)21:1(32).
Kollmann, J., P. F. Liu, G. Y. Lu, D. W. Wang, M. Oeser, and S. Leischner. 2019. “Investigation of the microstructural fracture behaviour of asphalt mixtures using the finite element method.” Constr. Build. Mater. 227 (Dec): 117078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117078.
Li, J. G., P. L. Li, J. F. Su, Y. Xue, and W. Y. Rao. 2019. “Effect of aggregate contact characteristics on densification properties of asphalt mixture.” Constr. Build. Mater. 204 (Apr): 691–702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.01.023.
Li, P. L., J. F. Su, S. S. Ma, and H. Dong. 2020. “Effect of aggregate contact condition on skeleton stability in asphalt mixture.” Int. J. Pavement Eng. 21 (2): 196–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2018.1450503.
Lira, B., D. Jelagin, and B. Birgisson. 2013. “Gradation-based framework for asphalt mixture.” Mater. Struct. 46 (8): 1401–1414. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-012-9982-3.
Liu, P. F., J. Hu, G. C. Falla, D. W. Wang, S. Leischner, and M. Oeser. 2019. “Primary investigation on the relationship between microstructural characteristics and the mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures with different compaction degrees.” Constr. Build. Mater. 223 (Oct): 784–793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.07.039.
Ma, T., D. Y. Zhang, Y. Zhang, and J. X. Hong. 2016. “Micromechanical response of aggregate skeleton within asphalt mixture based on virtual simulation of wheel tracking test.” Constr. Build. Mater. 111 (May): 153–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.02.104.
Ma, T., D. Y. Zhang, Y. Zhang, S. Q. Wang, and X. M. Huang. 2018. “Simulation of wheel tracking test for asphalt mixture using discrete element modelling.” Road Mater. Pavement Des. 19 (2): 367–384. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2016.1261725.
Moreno-Atanasio, R., R. A. Williams, and X. D. Jia. 2010. “Combining X-ray microtomography with computer simulation for analysis of granular and porous materials.” Particuology 8 (2): 81–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2010.01.001.
Nikhil, S., R. Ranjeesh, G. Ankit, and M. Suresh. 2019. “Development of hierarchical ranking strategy for the asphalt skeleton in semi-flexible pavement.” Constr. Build. Mater. 201 (Mar): 149–158.
Poulikakos, L. D., and M. N. Partl. 2012. “A multi-scale fundamental investigation of moisture induced deterioration of porous asphalt concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 36 (Nov): 1025–1035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.04.071.
Pouranian, M. R., and J. E. Haddock. 2018. “Determination of voids in the mineral aggregate and aggregate skeleton characteristics of asphalt mixtures using a linear-mixture packing model.” Constr. Build. Mater. 188 (Nov): 292–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.08.101.
Pouranian, M. R., and J. E. Haddock. 2019. “A new framework for understanding aggregate structure in asphalt mixtures.” Int. J. Pavement Eng. 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2019.1660340.
Pouranian, M. R., M. Shishehbor, and J. E. Haddock. 2020. “Impact of the coarse aggregate shape parameters on compaction characteristics of asphalt mixtures.” Powder Technol. 363 (Mar): 369–386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2020.01.014.
Sefidmazgi, N. R., L. Tashman, and H. Bahia. 2012. “Internal structure characterization of asphalt mixtures for rutting performance using imaging analysis.” Supplement, Road Mater. Pavement Des. 13 (S1): 21–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2012.657045.
Shi, L. W., D. Y. Wang, X. Xiao, and X. Qin. 2020. “Meso-structural characteristics of asphalt mixture main skeleton based on meso-scale analysis.” Constr. Build. Mater. 232 (Jan): 117263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117263.
Shi, L. W., Z. Yang, D. Y. Wang, X. Qin, X. Xiao, and M. K. Julius. 2019. “Gradual meso-structural response behaviour of characteristics of asphalt mixture main skeleton subjected to load.” Appl. Sci. 9 (12): 2425. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9122425.
Wang, D. M., and Y. H. Zhou. 2010. “Statistics of contact force network in dense granular matter.” Particuology 8 (2): 133–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2009.09.007.
Wang, L. B., J. Y. Park, and Y. R. Fu. 2007. “Representation of real particles for DEM simulation using X-ray tomography.” Constr. Build. Mater. 21 (2): 338–346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.08.013.
Wang, X. W., X. Y. Gu, J. W. Jiang, and H. Y. Deng. 2018. “Experimental analysis of skeleton strength of porous asphalt mixtures.” Constr. Build. Mater. 171 (May): 13–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.03.116.
Xu, R., and E. L. Liu. 2019. “Analysis on evolution of force chain and contact network of non-cohesive soil.” Key Eng. Mater. 803: 253–261. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.803.253.
Zhang, Y., T. Ma, M. Ling, and X. M. Huang. 2019. “Mechanistic sieve-size classification of aggregate gradation by characterizing load-carrying capacity of inner structures.” J. Eng. Mech. 145 (9): 04019069. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0001640.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 147 • Issue 2 • February 2021
Copyright
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 10, 2020
Accepted: Sep 28, 2020
Published online: Nov 29, 2020
Published in print: Feb 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Apr 29, 2021
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.