This study investigated the simulation of wheel tracking test and the high-temperature rutting behaviour of an asphalt mixture by using the discrete element method (DEM). Based on the DEM software named as Particle Flow Code in three dimensions (PFC3D), a micromechanical model of an asphalt mixture composed of coarse aggregates, asphalt mastic, and air voids was built and a two-dimensional virtual wheel tracking test was simulated. Based on the virtual wheel tracking test, the distribution of displacement and contact forces within test specimen were analysed. It is proved that the built virtual wheel tracking test can capture the rutting deformation caused by the combination of densification and lateral flow deformation. It is also indicated that, within an asphalt mixture, the aggregate skeleton is the main bearing body for the compressive forces, while the compressive and tensile forces between aggregate and mastic are severer than that within asphalt mastic. It is important to guarantee the stability o...

Simulation of wheel tracking test for asphalt mixture using discrete element modelling

International Roughness Index (IRI) is a pavement performance indicator which reflects not only the pavement condition but also the ride quality and comfort level of road users. The aim of this pap...

International Roughness Index prediction model for flexible pavements

Micromechanical response of aggregate skeleton within asphalt mixture based on virtual simulation of wheel tracking test

Heterogeneity effect of mechanical property on creep behavior of asphalt mixture based on micromechanical modeling and virtual creep test

Compaction process tracking for asphalt mixture using discrete element method

Timely rehabilitation and preservation of pavement systems are imperative to minimising agency's costs and maximising benefits. Reasonable estimates of treatment life and pavement life extension can be made possible by developing reliable treatment performance models. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development initiated a three-phased study to develop pavement treatment performance models in support of cost-effective selection of pavement treatment type and the time of treatment. As a result of the study, international roughness index (IRI) models for overlay treatment of composite and flexible pavements were developed. Various factors affecting the IRI of overlay treatment were identified. Climatic indices pertaining to Louisiana were developed which exhibited strong statistical significance along with the other variables as used in the IRI models. The developed IRI models provided good agreement between the measured and predicted IRI values with the majority of data within 5% of prediction e...

International roughness index models for HMA overlay treatment of flexible and composite pavements

This paper presents the development of micro-mechanical discrete element model for hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures modified with carbon nanofibers using the advanced imaging techniques. Shape-structural model of two-phased HMA consisting of aggregate and matrix was generated using cluster of small discrete disk-shaped particles for each phase. Three contact models, shear and normal stiffness, static and sliding friction, and inter-particle contact bonds were employed to model the constitutive behavior of the HMA mixture. To validate the developed DEM model an experimental study was executed. It was observed that the uniaxial compressive test simulation reasonably predicted the stress–strain behavior of the HMA mixture. The dynamic modulus and strength obtained from indirect tensile test were similar to the predicted moduli and strength using the DEM under the quasi-elastic state for all the HMA mixtures studied.

Imaged-based discrete element modeling of hot mix asphalt mixtures

Mitigating reflective cracking in composite pavements through the use of a ductile concrete interlayer

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), U.S., has been using chip seal as an interlayer over cement stabilized base courses over the last several years to mitigate the re...

Performance Evaluation of Reflective Crack Mitigation Techniques for Soil-Cement Bases:

Timely rehabilitation and preservation of pavement systems are imperative to maximize benefits in terms of driver’s comfort and safety. However, the effectiveness of any treatment largely depends on the time of treatment and triggers governed by treatment performance models. This paper presents the development of rutting model for overlay treatment of composite pavement in the State of Louisiana. Various factors affecting the rutting of overlay treatment were identified. Regression analysis was conducted, and rut prediction model is generated. In order to better predict the pavement service life, the existing condition of the pavement was also utilized through the model. The developed models provided a good agreement between the measured and predicted rut values. It was found that the predictions were significantly improved, when existing pavement condition was incorporated. The resulting rutting model could be used as a good pavement management tool for timely pavement maintenance and rehabilitation actions to maximize LADOTD benefits and driver’s comfort and safety.

https://downloads.hindawi.com/archive/2013/176029.pdf

Mohammad Reza-Ul-Karim Bhuyan

Papers

International roughness index models for HMA overlay treatment of flexible and composite pavements

Imaged-based discrete element modeling of hot mix asphalt mixtures

Mitigating reflective cracking in composite pavements through the use of a ductile concrete interlayer

Performance Evaluation of Reflective Crack Mitigation Techniques for Soil-Cement Bases:

Rutting Model for HMA Overlay Treatment of Composite Pavements