Finite Element Micromechanical Modeling of Asphalt Mixture by Using X-Ray Tomography Images and Random Generation of Aggregates Skeleton

As it is well known, the microstructure characteristics are directly linked to different proportions and properties of materials composing the medium as well as the method of fabrication. The microstructure of an asphalt mixture is influenced by the aggregate content, orientation and contacts. In the several previous studies, the asphalt concrete is treated as homogeneous material and its microstructures are ignored. However, it has been reported that the deformation and strength of asphalt concrete are not only influenced by volume fraction of its components but also affected by their spatial distribution. Thus, to investigate the mechanical behaviors of asphalt concrete, it is imperative to notice more accurately a micromechanical model containing information of components and microstructures.The main objective of this study is to investigate the influence of the microstructure characteristics on the mechanical behaviour of asphalt mixes. The details of the microstructure are obtained by X-ray computed tomography (CT). A comparison with results issues from digital models of random aggregate generation will be also considered. This study can increase the mechanistic understanding of viscoelastic properties of asphalt mixtures vs in-situ microstructure properties. The dynamic modulus of the matrix and elastic properties of aggregates were introduced as input parameters into numerical models qualified by heterogeneous microstructure. Moreover, in this paper the influence of microstructure on the mechanical response of material at local level is also highlighted.

کلیدواژه ها:

Microstructure characteristics ، Micromechanics ، X-ray computed tomography ، random aggregates generation ، Complex modulus