TY - JOUR
T1 - Predicting the dynamic behavior of asphalt concrete using three-dimensional discrete element method
AU - Chen, Jun
AU - Pan, Tongyan
AU - Chen, Jingya
AU - Huang, Xiaoming
AU - Lu, Yang
N1 - A user-defined three-dimensional (3D) discrete element model was presented to predict the dynamic modulus and phase angle of asphalt concrete (AC). The 3D discrete element method (DEM) model of AC was constructed employing a user-defined computer program developed using the "Fish" language in PFC3D.
PY - 2012/4
Y1 - 2012/4
N2 - A user-defined three-dimensional (3D) discrete element model was presented to predict the dynamic modulus and phase angle of asphalt concrete (AC). The 3D discrete element method (DEM) model of AC was constructed employing a user-defined computer program developed using the "Fish" language in PFC3D. Important microstructural features of AC were modeled, including aggregate gradation, air voids and mastic. The irregular shape of aggregate particle was modeled using a clump of spheres. The developed model was validated through comparing with experimental measurements and then used to simulate the cyclic uniaxial compression test, based on which the dynamic modulus and phase angle were calculated from the output stressstrain relationship. The effects of air void content, aggregate stiffness and volumetric fraction on AC modulus were further investigated. The experimental results show that the 3D DEM model is able to accurately predict both dynamic modulus and phase angle of AC across a range of temperature and loading frequencies. The user-defined 3D model also demonstrated significant improvement over the general existing two-dimensional models.
AB - A user-defined three-dimensional (3D) discrete element model was presented to predict the dynamic modulus and phase angle of asphalt concrete (AC). The 3D discrete element method (DEM) model of AC was constructed employing a user-defined computer program developed using the "Fish" language in PFC3D. Important microstructural features of AC were modeled, including aggregate gradation, air voids and mastic. The irregular shape of aggregate particle was modeled using a clump of spheres. The developed model was validated through comparing with experimental measurements and then used to simulate the cyclic uniaxial compression test, based on which the dynamic modulus and phase angle were calculated from the output stressstrain relationship. The effects of air void content, aggregate stiffness and volumetric fraction on AC modulus were further investigated. The experimental results show that the 3D DEM model is able to accurately predict both dynamic modulus and phase angle of AC across a range of temperature and loading frequencies. The user-defined 3D model also demonstrated significant improvement over the general existing two-dimensional models.
KW - Asphalt concrete
KW - Discrete element method
KW - Dynamic modulus
KW - Micromechanics
KW - Three-dimensional model
KW - Uniaxial compression test
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84861825358&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11595-012-0470-y
U2 - 10.1007/s11595-012-0470-y
DO - 10.1007/s11595-012-0470-y
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84861825358
SN - 1000-2413
VL - 27
SP - 382
EP - 388
JO - Journal Wuhan University of Technology, Materials Science Edition
JF - Journal Wuhan University of Technology, Materials Science Edition
IS - 2
ER -