High-temperature creep behavior characterization of asphalt mixture based on micromechanical modeling and virtual test

Abstract

The high-temperature creep behavior of asphalt mixture was investigated based on micromechanical modeling and virtual test by using three-dimensional discrete element method (DEM). A user-defined micromechanical model of asphalt mixture was established after analyzing the irregular shape and gradation of coarse aggregates, the viscoelastic property of asphalt mastic, and the random distribution of air voids within the asphalt mixture. Virtual uniaxial static creep test at 60 °C was conducted by using Particle Flow Code in three dimensions (PFC3D) and was validated by laboratory test. Based on virtual creep test, the micromechanical characteristics between aggregates, within asphalt mastic, and between aggregate and asphalt mastic were analyzed for the asphalt mixture. It is proved that the virtual test based on the micromechanical model can efficiently predict the creep deformation of asphalt mixture. And the high-temperature behavior of asphalt mixture was characterized from micromechanical perspective.