A model predicting mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures considering void ratio and loading conditions

Abstract

The void ratio is an essential parameter in asphalt mixture design, which significantly affects asphalt mixtures' mechanical properties and road performance. The prediction model for mechanical properties will be established based on the Computed tomography (CT) scanning, strength, and fatigue test results in this research to reveal the relationship between the asphalt mixtures' mechanical properties and void ratio. Firstly, the voids' transverse and longitudinal distribution characteristics in asphalt mixtures of different gradations were investigated based on CT scanning. Then, the influences of void ratio, loading rates on the strength, and the impacts of void ratio and stress levels on the fatigue life were investigated by conducting indirect tensile tests. Finally, the mechanical properties prediction model was established for void ratio and loading conditions. Further, the feasibility of the model is verified in conjunction with existing research results. The results show that the void ratio calculated based on CT scanning is about 1.15 times the measured void ratio in the water weight method. The number of voids was uniformly distributed in the range of 15 mm∼50 mm in height and 10 mm∼40 mm in radius of the specimen. The asphalt mixtures' strength decreases with increasing void ratio and increases with increasing loading rate. The asphalt mixtures' fatigue life declines with increasing void ratio and stress level. The correlation coefficients of the established strength and fatigue prediction models were 0.963 and 0.976, respectively. The relative error between the measured strength, fatigue life, and predicted results is about 10.75% and 11.27%, respectively. This research provides a basis for designing high-performance asphalt mixtures by establishing the relationship between asphalt mixtures' microscopic and mechanical characteristics.