Prediction of the coefficient of permeability of asphalt mixtures using the lattice Boltzmann method

Abstract

The Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is widely accepted to simulate fluid flow in porous materials. The objective of this study is to predict the coefficient of permeability of asphalt mixtures using the LBM. The numerical method was verified by simulating fluid flow in Poiseuille flow, parallel tubes, and sandstone samples. The three-dimensional microstructures of asphalt mixtures were reconstructed with X-ray computed tomography techniques and used as inputs for LBM simulations. The factors that affect the stability and accuracy of the simulations were also discussed. These factors include time steps, applied pressure gradient, and image resolution. The results of LBM simulations were compared with the experimental results. It was revealed that the LBM simulations successfully predicted the coefficient of permeability of asphalt mixtures.