Three-Dimensional Discrete-Element Modeling of Aggregate Homogeneity Influence on Indirect Tensile Strength of Asphalt Mixtures
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 29, Issue 11
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the influence of aggregate homogeneity on the indirect tensile (IDT) strength of asphalt mixtures using imaging and discrete-element method. An aggregate homogeneity index, which was used to assess the aggregate homogeneity in asphalt mixtures, was briefly described, and the aggregate homogeneities of different asphalt specimens were assessed by the index. A micromechanical model for predicting the IDT strength was established by a discrete-element program called Particle Flow Code in Three Dimensions. On the basis of this model and by loading asphalt specimens along different directions, the influence of aggregate homogeneity on the IDT strength at low temperatures was simulated; the simulation results were verified by an actual IDT test. Results show that the IDT strength exhibits anisotropy. There is no obvious correlation between the aggregate homogeneity and the IDT strength. However, there is an obvious correlation between the aggregate homogeneity and the variation in the IDT strength.
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Acknowledgments
The authors greatly appreciate the financial support received from the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (LY15E080006), National Natural Science Foundation of China (51678443), and the China Scholarship Council.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 29 • Issue 11 • November 2017
Copyright
© 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 31, 2016
Accepted: Apr 13, 2017
Published online: Aug 4, 2017
Published in print: Nov 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Jan 4, 2018
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