The discrete element method is now increasingly used in the micro-mechanical analysis of asphalt mixtures. The digital image-based method is usually used to prepare the 2D discrete element sample. However, this method is costly and time-consuming. In this study, a series of algorithms were developed to generate the 2D discrete element sample of asphalt mixtures based on the probability analysis. Firstly, the shapes and sizes of the 2D aggregates cut from 3D aggregates were analyzed and their probabilities were computed. Based on this, an algorithm was proposed to generate the 2D aggregates. Secondly, a method was developed to calculate the number of 2D aggregates in the 2D asphalt mixture sample. Lastly, the algorithms for generating the 2D discrete element sample were summarized and discussed. With these algorithms, the 2D discrete element sample of asphalt mixtures can be generated directly and rapidly.

To evaluate the generation method of a digital asphalt-mixture specimen based on the discrete-element method, an algorithm for generating three-dimensional coarse aggregates is presented in this study. The simulation result shows that this algorithm can reflect the actual geometry (e.g., shape, size, fracture surface, and angularity) of aggregate particles. The digital three-dimensional specimen generated using this algorithm can model the three-phase system of coarse aggregates, air voids, and asphalt mastic for asphalt mixtures well. To estimate the distribution of coarse aggregates, both in the digital specimen and real asphalt mixture, the position and quantity of the coarse aggregates within a two-dimensional section of the asphalt mixture were adopted as evaluation indices. The results showed that the digital asphalt-mixture specimen was in good agreement with the real asphalt mixture, and the evaluation indices could be used to quantitatively analyze whether the digital specimen could reflect the real asphalt mixture. The proposed approach based on the discrete-element method can be used as a supplemental tool to evaluate the uniformity of asphalt mixtures for micromechanical analysis.

This volume highlights the latest advances, innovations, and applications in bituminous materials and structures and asphalt pavement technology, as presented by leading international researchers and engineers at the RILEM International Symposium on Bituminous Materials (ISBM), held in Lyon, France on December 14-16, 2020. The symposium represents a joint effort of three RILEM Technical Committees from Cluster F: 264-RAP “Asphalt Pavement Recycling”, 272-PIM “Phase and Interphase Behaviour of Bituminous Materials”, and 278-CHA “Crack-Healing of Asphalt Pavement Materials”. It covers a diverse range of topics concerning bituminous materials (bitumen, mastics, mixtures) and road, railway and airport pavement structures, including: recycling, phase and interphase behaviour, cracking and healing, modification and innovative materials, durability and environmental aspects, testing and modelling, multi-scale properties, surface characteristics, structure performance, modelling and design, non-destructive testing, back-analysis, and Life Cycle Assessment. The contributions, which were selected by means of a rigorous international peer-review process, present a wealth of exciting ideas that will open novel research directions and foster new multidisciplinary collaborations.

Advances in Mineral Resources, Geotechnology and Geological Exploration focuses on the research of mineral resources, geotechnology and geological exploration. The proceedings features the most cutting-edge research directions and achievements related to geology. Subjects in this proceedings include: · Materials of geography · Resource exploration · Geotechnical engineering · Rock mechanics and rock engineering The works of this proceedings can promote development of geology, resource sharing, flexibility and high efficiency. Thereby, promote scientific information interchange between scholars from top universities, research centers and high-tech enterprises working all around the world.

Abstract : Asphalt mixture is the most widely used pavement engineering material. Because the laboratory tests of asphalt mixture are costly, researchers keep searching for a practical numerical simulation approach to facilitate their study on mixture design, compaction process, and service performance. Although the discrete element method (DEM) had been introduced into those research areas for more than three decades and has been proved to be an effective tool, its utilizing is still limited by lacking coarse aggregate morphologies, efficient modeling approaches, and complete mechanical theories. This study aims to extend the application of DEM in asphalt mixture research by 1) establishing a coarse aggregate morphology database. Coarse aggregates were categorized according to shape information and then scanned through a three-dimensional scanner. The essential morphology factors, including grain size, dimensions, surface area, volume, and specific surface area, were collected and analyzed; 2) building the gyratory compaction process. Loose material assembly was precisely generated through the developed algorithm according to the mixture design. The loose material was then compacted through the programed gyration moment. The impacts of contact parameters on compaction were investigated. Speed-up techniques were proposed and verified by analyzing the internal structure of the compacted mixtures; 3) developing a set of modeling procedures with high efficiency, low cost, reliable accuracy, and wide application. The new modeling procedures use coarse aggregate temples from the database to improve simulation accuracy and use geometry information from the gyratory compacted mixtures or random generation method to save laboratory specimens. Hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structure, which has advantages in simulating shear failure and Poisson's ratio, was employed instead of the simple cubic-centered (SCC) structure. The corresponding mechanical calculation for contact micro-parameters was then derived and verify through simple stiffness/bond tests and complete indirect tensile (IDT) tests; 4) applying DEM models to research practice. Based on those improvements, this study involved DEM in the research of the mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures with high contents of ground tire rubber (GTR). Incorporate with laboratory tests, although asphalt mixtures with high contents of GTR have lower IDT strength of was than a conventional mixture, its cracking resistance and fatigue resistance were proved to be higher. By analyzing the contact force distribution in the DEM models, rubber particles with low moduli were found to be the endogenous reason for better performance. By further investigation, the rubber particles functioned as buffers that disperse the loadings. With the above four parts of research, the application of the DEM in asphalt mixture has significant improvement in modeling techniques, mechanical theories, simulation efficiency, and scope of application.

The indirect tensile test is commonly used to evaluate crack and fatigue resistance of asphalt mixtures. However, laboratory tests are time-consuming and laborious in general. Numerical simulation provides a technical way for studying the mechanical behavior of asphalt mixtures. In this research, a laboratory test and discrete element method were used to explore the effects of temperature, air void content, loading rate, and the homogeneity of a mixture on the splitting strength of asphalt mixtures. For asphalt mixtures, a three-dimensional random modeling method and two-dimensional modeling method based on X-ray computed tomography and digital image processing were developed. Also, a homogeneity evaluation index based on ring segmentation was proposed. The results show that an increase in loading rate and decrease in temperature resulted in a significant increase in splitting strength. With an increase in voids, the splitting strength of an asphalt mixture decreased. The Pearson correlation coefficient indicates that there seems to be no clear connection between splitting strength and homogeneity, but there is a significant correlation between the homogeneity and differences in the splitting strength.