An Advanced Rapid Three-dimensional Modeling Technology For Asphalt Mixture

Mechanical behavior of asphalt mixture, composed by asphalt and aggregates, is a complex phenomenon conditioned by its heterogeneity. Size, shape, distribution and interaction of aggregates directly affect the elastic, viscoelastic and other mechanical properties of asphalt mixture. In order to get actual properties of asphalt mixture, it is necessary to adopt an accurate method for modeling the aggregate shapes.The appropriate parameters are selected to generate a random polyhedron, which can be a single aggregate consistent to the actual shape after the convex control and sharpness judgment. The aggregate base consists of amount of random aggregates generated by this method. Based on the equiprobable dispose principle, a random disposing region is first generated; and then a group of aggregates are randomly chosen to put in the region, so that a random 3D numerical model of asphalt mixture can be established.Firstly, 6 asphalt mixture numerical models of the different gradation were established by this modeling technology. Based on the volume-averaged method, the elastic properties of asphalt mixture were predicted. The results are consistent with the limits of Paul. Then, the static creep experiments of asphalt mixture under different temperature and stress conditions are simulated. The viscoelasticity deformation characters of asphalt mixture under different temperature and stress conditions are analyzed. The final results are presented to demonstrate the validity of fast numerical modeling technology for asphalt mixture proposed in this paper, and it is proved that this modeling technology could be used to guide the grading analysis of asphalt mixture.