Research on the evolution of aggregate skeleton characteristics of asphalt mixture under uniaxial compression loading

Abstract

The aggregate skeleton is the intrinsic core of asphalt mixtures for load transfer, which is quite different under various gradations. For evaluating the loading characteristics of the aggregate skeleton, this research combined the 3D blue-ray scanning technology and discrete element method (DEM) to establish the numerical models of different graded asphalt mixtures considering the real aggregate morphology. A linear parallel bond model was used to simulate the adhesion effect of asphalt, and the uniaxial compression numerical simulation was verified by indoor tests. In addition, the contact force, contact number, anisotropy, and rotation angle were used to evaluate the aggregate skeleton evolution under uniaxial compression loading. Furthermore, the contribution of each grade aggregate in the gradation to the skeleton structure was analyzed. Results show that the average contact force is higher in large-size aggregates above 9.5 mm, which exhibit greater load transfer efficiency. Moreover, 4.75–9.5 mm size aggregates combine the functions of bearing and filling, and its role is significantly affected by the gradation. It is also found that the internal skeleton structure can be optimized and adjusted under stress. The contact numbers of different graded mixtures follow a close decrease, and the strong contacts are mostly provided by coarse aggregates above 4.75 mm. The anisotropy development of aggregate skeleton contact force is induced by the stress, and the deviator fabric of asphalt mixtures show a good linear positive correlation with the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS). Besides, fine aggregates exhibit greater cumulative rotation angle and instability effect, it is feasible to detect asphalt mixture deformation by the rotation angle of particles.