Stress responses analysis of asphalt mixture particles based on average principle during the rolling compaction process of weld SBDP

Abstract

To investigate the stress responses of asphalt mixture particles in the weld area of steel bridge deck pavement (SBDP) during the rolling compaction process, the stress average principle and spherical domain stress measurement method are proposed. Firstly, the weld SBDP model was established using the DEM-FEM coupling method. The rolling compaction process of asphalt mixture from loose to dense was simulated using the Fish algorithm. Then, the stress average principle of discrete element and the spherical domain measurement method were utilized to measure and calculate the average stress of asphalt mixture particles. Lastly, the average stresses of particles in the loose and dense status were collected and analyzed. Results show that the asphalt mixture particles in the load area shows a trend of moving in the opposite direction to the direction of steel wheel during the first rolling process of loose status. The average stress peak decreases with the weld height in the first rolling process, while the pattern is opposite in the last rolling process. It could be attributed to the dense structure formation of SBDP. The asphalt mixture particles at the bottom of SBDP appear downward movement trend. However, the particles can only move into the two sides of the weld due to the rigid constraints. Local stress concentration phenomenon occurs in the asphalt mixture particles around the high weld. This research can give method reference for the stresses analysis of asphalt mixture particles. The stress responses of asphalt mixture particles in the weld area is also clarified, which provides theoretical reference for the rolling compaction of weld SBDP.