Three-Dimensional Simulation of Aggregate and Asphalt Mixture Using Parameterized Shape and Size Gradation
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 31, Issue 3
Abstract
Aggregate occupies at least three-quarters of the volume of asphalt mixture and can significantly affect the performance of pavement. The geometrical morphology influences the slippage and interlock among aggregates for resisting and distributing applied loads. In recent years, the discrete-element method (DEM) has been employed for simulation of asphalt mixture structure. This paper introduces an approach for simulation of aggregate and asphalt mixtures using parameterized shape and size gradation. Both the plane geometry factor (PGF) and the section aspect ratio (SAR) were employed to describe the three-dimensional (3D) geometric characteristics of aggregates. A numerical technique of aggregate models was implemented with probabilistic parameters depending on statistical results of PGFs and SARs. The 3D numerical model of asphalt mixtures was assembled with three different components, and was validated by uniaxial compression tests via comparison with the laboratory result. It was found that the PGF and SAR are appropriate to describe the three-dimensional features of aggregate shapes, because a simplified space object can be described by a two-dimensional (2D) graphical projection and a vector scalar corresponding to the space vector. Probability distribution curves of PGFs and SARs between coarse aggregates were in concordance with the Gauss-type function, because their correlation coefficients were all greater than 95%. It was verified that the developed clumping algorithm of aggregates was reasonable in terms of the shape and size gradation. Based on the parallel-bond model and Burger’s model, the results of virtual tests were in good agreement with those of laboratory uniaxial tests. The angularity (PGF) of aggregates has a beneficial effect on the strength and stability of asphalt mixtures, whereas the flat-elongated feature (SAR) has a negative effect on the strength and stability of asphalt mixtures.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2017YFC0805307), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51478054, 51778071, and 51878078), the Excellent Youth Foundation of Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (2018JJ1026), and the Key Project of Education Department of Hunan Province (17A008). This research was supported by the Open Research Fund of Science and Technology Innovation Platform of State Engineering Laboratory of Highway Maintenance Technology, Changsha University of Science & Technology (kfj150103).
References
CCCC Infrastructure Maintenance. 2017. Specifications for design of highway asphalt pavement. JTG D50. Beijing: China Communications Press.
Chen, J., B. Huang, X. Shu, and C. Hu. 2015a. “DEM simulation of laboratory compaction of asphalt mixtures using open source code.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 27 (3): 04014130. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001069.
Chen, J., H. Wang, and L. Li. 2017. “Virtual testing of asphalt mixture with two-dimensional and three-dimensional random aggregate structures.” Int. J. Pavement Eng. 18 (9): 824–836. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2015.1066005.
Chen, J., M. Zhang, H. Wang, and L. Li. 2015b. “Evaluation of thermal conductivity of asphalt concrete with heterogeneous microstructure.” Appl. Therm. Eng. 84: 368–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.03.070.
Dan, H. C., Z. Zhang, J. Q. Chen, and H. Wang. 2018. “Numerical simulation of an indirect tensile test for asphalt mixtures using discrete element method software.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 30 (5): 04018067. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002252.
Ferellec, J. F., and G. R. Mcdowell. 2010. “A method to model realistic particle shape and inertia in DEM.” Granul. Matter 12 (5): 459–467. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-010-0205-8.
Fu, Y., L. Wang, and C. Zhou. 2010. “3D clustering DEM simulation and non-invasive experimental verification of shear localisation in irregular particle assemblies.” Int. J. Pavement Eng. 11 (5): 355–365. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2010.493585.
Itasca Consulting. 2005. PFC3D version 3.1 manual. Minneapolis: Itasca Consulting.
Liu, Y., and Z. You. 2009. “Visualization and simulation of asphalt concrete with randomly generated three-dimensional models.” J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 23 (6): 340–347. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(2009)23:6(340).
Liu, Y., and Z. You. 2011. “Discrete-element modeling: Impacts of aggregate sphericity, orientation, and angularity on creep stiffness of idealized asphalt mixtures.” J. Eng. Mech. 137 (4): 294–303. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0000228.
Liu, Y., Z. You, Q. Dai, and J. MillsBeale. 2011. “Review of advances in understanding impacts of mix composition characteristics on asphalt concrete (AC) mechanics.” Int. J. Pavement Eng. 12 (4): 385–405. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2011.575142.
Liu, Y., X. Zhou, Z. You, S. Yao, F. Gong, and H. Wang. 2017. “Discrete element modeling of realistic particle shapes in stone-based mixtures through MATLAB-based imaging process.” Constr. Build. Mater. 143: 169–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.03.037.
Lv, S., C. Liu, D. Chen, J. Zheng, Z. You, and L. You. 2018. “Normalization of fatigue characteristics for asphalt mixtures under different stress states.” Constr. Build. Mater. 177: 33–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.05.109.
Ma, T., H. Wang, D. Zhang, and Y. Zhang. 2017. “Heterogeneity effect of mechanical property on creep behavior of asphalt mixture based on micromechanical modeling and virtual creep test.” Mech. Mater. 104: 49–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mechmat.2016.10.003.
Mahmoud, E., E. Masad, and S. Nazarian. 2010. “Discrete element analysis of the influences of aggregate properties and internal structure on fracture in asphalt mixtures.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 22 (1): 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000005.
Peng, Y., and L. J. Sun. 2016. “Micromechanics-based analysis of the effect of aggregate homogeneity on the uniaxial penetration test of asphalt mixtures.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 28 (11): 04016119. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001634.
Salemi, M., and H. Wang. 2018. “Image-aided random aggregate packing for computational modeling of asphalt concrete microstructure.” Constr. Build. Mater. 177: 467–476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.05.139.
Shen, S., and H. Yu. 2011. “Analysis of aggregate gradation and packing for easy estimation of hot-mix-asphalt voids in mineral aggregate.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 23 (5): 664–672. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000224.
Shi, C., D. J. Li, W. Y. Xu, and R. Wang. 2015. “Discrete element cluster modeling of complex mesoscopic particles for use with the particle flow code method.” Granul. Matter 17 (3): 377–387. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-015-0557-1.
Singh, M., P. Kumar, and M. R. Maurya. 2014. “Effect of aggregate types on the performance of neat and EVA-modified asphalt mixtures.” Int. J. Pavement Eng. 15 (2): 163–173. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2013.812211.
Taghavi, R. 2011. “Automatic clump generation based on mid-surface.” In Proc., 2nd Int. FLAC/DEM Symp., 791–797. Melbourne, Australia:Itasca Australia Pty.
Visvalingam, M., and J. Whyatt. 1990. “The Douglas-Peucker algorithm for line simplification: Re-evaluation through visualization.” In Computer graphics forum, 213–228. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier North-Holland.
Wang, L. 2011. Mechanics of asphalt: Microstructure and micromechanics. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Wensrich, C. M., and A. Katterfeld. 2012. “Rolling friction as a technique for modelling particle shape in DEM.” Powder Technol. 217 (2): 409–417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2011.10.057.
Yang, X., S. Chen, and Z. You. 2017. “3D voxel-based approach to quantify aggregate angularity and surface texture.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 29 (7): 04017031. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001872.
Yang, X., Z. You, Z. Wang, and Q. Dai. 2016. “Review on heterogeneous model reconstruction of stone-based composites in numerical simulation.” Constr. Build. Mater. 117: 229–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.04.135.
You, Z., and W. Buttlar. 2004. “Discrete element modeling to predict the modulus of asphalt concrete mixtures.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 16 (2): 140–146. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0899-1561(2004)16:2(140).
Yu, H., and S. Shen. 2012. “Impact of aggregate packing on dynamic modulus of hot mix asphalt mixtures using three-dimensional discrete element method.” Constr. Build. Mater. 26 (1): 302–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.06.025.
Zhang, J., J. Li, Y. Yao, J. Zheng, and F. Gu. 2018a. “Geometric anisotropy modeling and shear behavior evaluation of graded crushed rocks.” Constr. Build. Mater. 183: 346–355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.06.188.
Zhang, J., J. Peng, J. Li, and J. Zheng. 2018b. “Variation of resilient modulus with soil suction for cohesive soils in south China.” Int. J. Civ. Eng. 16 (12): 1655–1667. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-018-0315-y.
Zhang, J., J. Peng, J. Zheng, and Y. Yao. 2018c. “Characterisation of stress and moisture-dependent resilient behaviour for compacted clays in South China.” Road Mater. Pavement 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2018.1481138.
Zhang, Y., and L. Wong. 2018d. “A review of numerical techniques approaching microstructures of crystalline rocks.” Comput. Geosci.-UK 115: 167–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2018.03.012.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 31 • Issue 3 • March 2019
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 27, 2018
Accepted: Aug 29, 2018
Published online: Jan 7, 2019
Published in print: Mar 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Jun 7, 2019
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.