FOUNDMENTAL STUDY ON APPLICABILITY OF DISTINCT ELEMENT METHOD TO DEFFORMATION ANALYSIS OF ASPHALT MIXTURE

Abstract

In this paper, simulation approach based on distinct element method (DEM) was applied to deformation analysis of asphalt mixture, and the applicability and mechanical property of the distinct element assembly were probed. Since a mechanical element model used in ordinary DEM was not suitable for simulating a deformation of asphalt mixture, different element model was reconsidered in accordance with real material property. The applicability was evaluated in comparing simulation results with real behavior of asphalt mixture. As a result of comparisons, it was found out that the proposed element model could represent viscoelastic behavior of asphalt mixture on the whole and this simulation method was applicable to deformation analysis of asphalt layer. In addition, mechanical relations between element model and the assembly were also studied by the parametric simulations in which physical properties of mechanical element were changed.