Quantification of Asphalt Mixture Interlocking Utilizing 2D and 3D Image Processing
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35, Issue 1
Abstract
The internal structure of the asphalt mixture plays a vital role in performance because it addresses gradation, air void distribution, and mixture packing. Although the quantification of the effect of the internal structure on the mechanical behavior of hot mix asphalt cannot be achieved through experimental work, the internal structure can be characterized through image-based analysis. Recent studies used imaging techniques to understand how the internal structure influences the performance of a mixture. This study attempted to quantify the interlocking properties of hot mix asphalt using three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) image analyzing processes and correlate the result to the locking point concept. Two types of aggregates (limestone and gravel), one type of bitumen PG64-22, and two types of asphalt mixtures—surface and base (binder)—were utilized in this study. Two software packages were used to process and analyze the captured images: iPas2 for the 2D analysis and Avizo Fire version 9.7 for the 3D analysis. Three parameters were utilized to quantify the interlocking properties, such as the number of contacts between aggregates per volume and area, ratio of interlocked particles to total number of particles, and contact area and length. This study’s results show that 3D and 2D image processing represent promising nondestructive methods to quantify asphalt mixtures’ interlocking properties. The parameters evaluated in this research indicated that the locking point definitions LP3/2-2-3 are the most appropriate to quantify the interlocking of the asphalt mixture.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The project was sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (United States). The authors thank TDOT engineers and contractors who helped provide this study’s aggregates and asphalt binder.
References
Bessa, I. S., V. T. C. Branco, and J. B. Soares. 2012. “Evaluation of different digital image processing software for aggregates and hot mix asphalt characterizations.” Constr. Build. Mater. 37 (Dec): 370–378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.07.051.
Cannone Falchetto, A. 2011. Investigation of low temperature properties of asphalt mixture containing recycled asphalt materials. Parma, Italy: Università degli Studi di Parma.
Chen, D., N. Roohi Sefidmazgi, and H. Bahia. 2015. “Exploring the feasibility of evaluating asphalt pavement surface macro-texture using image-based texture analysis method.” Road Mater. Pavement Des. 16 (2): 405–420. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2015.1016547.
Cheng, Z., P. A. Polaczyk, D. Zhang, W. Hu, and B. Huang. 2021. “A method for determining impact locking point of asphalt mixtures based on dynamic response.” J. Cent. South Univ. 52 (7): 2232–2245. https://doi.org/10.11817/j.issn.1672-7207.2021.07.011.
Cheng, Z., D. Zhang, S. Xie, P. A. Polaczyk, and T. Wang. 2022. “SmartRock-based research on gyratory locking point for stone mastic asphalt mixture.” Buildings 12 (2): 97. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12020097.
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.
Druckrey, A. M., and K. A. Alshibli. 2016. “3D finite element modeling of sand particle fracture based on in situ X-ray synchrotron imaging.” Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech. 40 (1): 105–116. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.2396.
Elseifi, M. A., L. N. Mohammad, E. Kassem, H. Ying, and E. Masad. 2011. “Quantification of damage in the dynamic complex modulus and flow number tests using X-ray computed tomography.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 23 (12): 1687–1696. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000346.
Jarrar, Z. A., K. A. Alshibli, and R. I. Al-Raoush. 2020. “Three-dimensional evaluation of sand particle fracture using discrete-element method and synchrotron microcomputed tomography images.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 146 (7): 06020007. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002281.
Jia, X., W. Hu, P. Polaczyk, H. Gong, and B. Huang. 2019. “Comparative evaluation of compacting process for base materials using lab compaction methods.” Transp. Res. Rec. 2673 (4): 558–567. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198119837953.
Jiang, J., F. Ni, Q. Dong, L. Yao, and X. Ma. 2019. “Investigation of the internal structure change of two-layer asphalt mixtures during the wheel tracking test based on 2D image analysis.” Constr. Build. Mater. 209 (Jun): 66–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.02.156.
Jiang, J., F. Ni, L. Gao, and L. Yao. 2017. “Effect of the contact structure characteristics on rutting performance in asphalt mixtures using 2D imaging analysis.” Constr. Build. Mater. 136 (Apr): 426–435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.12.210.
Ketcham, R. A., and N. Shashidhar. 2001. Quantitative analysis of 3-D images of asphalt concrete. Washington, DC: Transportation Research Board.
Li, P., J. Su, 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.
Li, X. G., and N. Gibson. 2011. “Mechanistic characterization of aggregate packing to assess gyration levels during HMA mix design.” J. Assoc. Asphalt Paving Technol. 80: 33–64.
Liang, H., D. Wang, L. Shi, X. Liang, and C. Tang. 2020. “Use of digital images for fracture performance evaluation of asphalt mixtures.” Constr. Build. Mater. 253 (Aug): 119152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119152.
Masad, E., and J. Button. 2004. “Implications of experimental measurements and analyses of the internal structure of hot-mix asphalt.” Transp. Res. Rec. 1891 (1): 212–220. https://doi.org/10.3141/1891-25.
Masad, E., B. Muhunthan, N. Shashidhar, and T. Harman. 1999. “Internal structure characterization of asphalt concrete using image analysis.” J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 13 (2): 88–95. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(1999)13:2(88).
Onifade, I., D. Jelagin, A. Guarin, B. Birgisson, and N. Kringos. 2013. “Asphalt internal structure characterization with X-ray computed tomography and digital image processing.” In Multi-scale modeling and characterization of infrastructure materials, 139–158. New York: Springer.
Polaczyk, P., B. Han, H. Gong, Y. Ma, R. Xiao, W. Hu, and B. Huang. 2021a. “Influence of aggregate gradation on the compactability of asphalt mixtures utilizing locking point.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 33 (3): 04021005. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003609.
Polaczyk, P., B. Han, B. Huang, X. Jia, and X. Shu. 2018. “Evaluation of the hot mix asphalt compactability utilizing the impact compaction method.” Constr. Build. Mater. 187 (Oct): 131–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.07.117.
Polaczyk, P., W. Hu, B. Han, H. Gong, Y. Ma, and B. Huang. 2021b. “Influence of asphalt binder on the compactability of asphalt mixtures using locking point.” J. Assoc. Asphalt Paving Technol. 89: 421–446.
Polaczyk, P., B. Huang, X. Shu, and H. Gong. 2019a. “Investigation into locking point of asphalt mixtures utilizing Superpave and Marshall compactors.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 31 (9): 04019188. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002839.
Polaczyk, P., Y. Ma, W. Hu, R. Xiao, X. Jiang, and B. Huang. 2021c. “Effects of mixture and aggregate type on over-compaction in hot mix asphalt in Tennessee.” Transp. Res. Rec. 2676 (4): 448–460. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981211061558.
Polaczyk, P., Y. Ma, R. Xiao, W. Hu, X. Jiang, and B. Huang. 2021d. “Characterization of aggregate interlocking in hot mix asphalt by mechanistic performance tests.” Supplement, Road Mater. Pavement Des. 22 (S1): S498–S513. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2021.1908408.
Polaczyk, P., X. Shu, H. Gong, and B. Huang. 2019b. “Influence of aggregates angularity on the locking point of asphalt mixtures.” Supplement, Road Mater. Pavement Des. 20 (S1): S183–S195. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2019.1588151.
Polaczyk, P. A. 2020. “Investigating the compactability of hot mix asphalt utilizing the concept of the locking point.” Ph.D. dissertation, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Tennessee.
Sefidmazgi, N. R. 2011. “Defining effective aggregate skeleton in asphalt mixture using digital imaging.” Master’s of Science, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison.
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.
Shashidhar, N. 1999. “X-ray tomography of asphalt concrete.” Transp. Res. Rec. 1681 (1): 186–192. https://doi.org/10.3141/1681-22.
Shi, L., D. 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.
Tan, Z., Z. Leng, J. Jiang, P. Cao, D. Jelagin, G. Li, and A. Sreeram. 2022. “Numerical study of the aggregate contact effect on the complex modulus of asphalt concrete.” Mater. Des. 213 (Jan): 110342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2021.110342.
Taniguchi, S., K. Ogawa, J. Otani, and I. Nishizaki. 2013. “A study on quality evaluation for bituminous mixture using X-ray CT.” Front. Struct. Civ. Eng. 7 (2): 89–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11709-013-0197-7.
Vavrik, W. R., and S. H. Carpenter. 1998. “Calculating air voids at specified number of gyrations in Superpave gyratory compactor.” Transp. Res. Rec. 1630 (1): 117–125. https://doi.org/10.3141/1630-14.
Wang, L., J. Frost, G. Voyiadjis, and T. Harman. 2003. “Quantification of damage parameters using X-ray tomography images.” Mech. Mater. 35 (8): 777–790. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-6636(02)00206-5.
Xing, C., H. Xu, Y. Tan, X. Liu, C. Zhou, and T. Scarpas. 2019. “Gradation measurement of asphalt mixture by X-ray CT images and digital image processing methods.” Measurement 132 (Jan): 377–386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2018.09.066.
Zelelew, H., and A. Papagiannakis. 2011. “A volumetrics thresholding algorithm for processing asphalt concrete X-ray CT images.” Int. J. Pavement Eng. 12 (6): 543–551. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2011.561345.
Zhu, H., and E. Julie. 2000. “Nodes Contact based analysis of asphalt pavement with the effect of aggregate angularity.” Mech. Mater. 32 (3): 193–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-6636(99)00054-X.
Zhu, X. Y., Z. X. Yang, X. M. Guo, and W. Q. Chen. 2011. “Modulus prediction of asphalt concrete with imperfect bonding between aggregate–asphalt mastic.” Composites, Part B 42 (6): 1404–1411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2011.05.023.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 9, 2021
Accepted: May 6, 2022
Published online: Oct 29, 2022
Published in print: Jan 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Mar 29, 2023
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.