Cross-Functional Test to Explore the Determination Method of Meso-Parameters in the Discrete Element Model of Asphalt Mixtures

In order to obtain more accurate parameters required for the simulation of asphalt mixtures in the discrete element method (DEM), this study carried out a series of cross-functional asphalt mixture experiments to obtain the DEM simulation meso-parameters. By comparing the results of simulation and actual experiments, a method to obtain the meso-parameters of the DEM simulation was proposed. In this method, the numerical aggregate profile was obtained by X-ray CT scanning and the 3D aggregate model was reconstructed in MIMICS. The linear contact parameters of the aggregate and the Burgers model parameters of the asphalt mastic were obtained by nanoindentation technology. The parameters of the parallel bonding model between the aggregate and mastic were determined by the macroscopic tensile adhesion test and shear bond test. The results showed that the meso-parameters obtained by the macroscopic experiment provide a basis for the calibration of DEM parameters to a certain extent. The trends in simulation results are similar to the macro test results. Therefore, the newly proposed method is feasible.

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Shear Deformation Behavior of a Double-Layer Asphalt Mixture Based on the Virtual Simulation of a Uniaxial Penetration Test

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma13173700 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (17) ◽

pp. 3700

Author(s):

Changjiang Kou ◽

Xiaohui Pan ◽

Peng Xiao ◽

Aihong Kang ◽

Zhengguang Wu

Keyword(s):

Shear Deformation ◽

Double Layer ◽

Deformation Behavior ◽

Lower Layer ◽

Asphalt Mixture ◽

Element Model ◽

Discrete Element ◽

Asphalt Mixtures ◽

Penetration Test ◽

Coarse Aggregates

This paper aims to clarify the shear deformation behavior of double-layer asphalt mixtures using the virtual uniaxial penetration test (UPT) with a discrete element method. For this purpose, asphalt mixtures with two different nominal maximum aggregate sizes were designed for the preparation of double-layer wheel tracking test specimens. Then, the cylindrical cores were prepared from the specimens and were cut for capturing the longitudinal profile images. These images were used to reconstruct a two-dimensional discrete element model (DEM) of the uniaxial penetration test specimen. The results indicate that the shear deformation behavior of the asphalt mixtures showed corresponding changes under the virtual loading. The tensile and compressive stress were distributed unevenly within the upper layer after the test, and both coarse aggregates and asphalt mortars bore a greater shear stress. Therefore, cracks were more likely to occur in the upper layer, leading to the failure of the specimens. This process enhanced the bonding between the asphalt mortars and the mineral aggregates. The aggregate particles in the upper layer moved more vertically, while those in the lower layer generally moved more laterally under the virtual loading. This behavior reveals the rutting mechanism of asphalt pavement.

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Calibration of discrete element model parameters: soybeans

Computational Particle Mechanics ◽

10.1007/s40571-018-0194-7 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 3-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Bhupendra M Ghodki ◽

Manish Patel ◽

Rohit Namdeo ◽

Gopal Carpenter

Keyword(s):

Element Model ◽

Discrete Element ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Discrete Element Model

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A 3D DEM Model for Air Sparging Technology in the Saturated Granular Soils

Frontiers in Physics ◽

10.3389/fphy.2021.812413 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Kai Wu ◽

Zan Li ◽

Zhibin Liu ◽

Songyu Liu

Keyword(s):

Three Dimensional ◽

Element Model ◽

Discrete Element ◽

Solid Particles ◽

Air Sparging ◽

Dem Simulation ◽

Drag Forces ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Element Simulation ◽

Dem Model

This work provides a three-dimensional discrete element simulation (DEM) model to study the air sparging technology. The simulations have taken into account the multi-phases of bubble (gas) - fluid (water) - soil (solid) particles. Bubbles are treated as discrete individual particles, with buoyancy and drag forces applied to bubbles and soil particles. The trajectory of each discrete bubble particle can be tracked using the discrete element model. It is found that the diffusion of the whole bubble is inverted conical though the motion behavior of a single bubble particle is random. Furthermore, the distribution of the radius of influence (ROI) is not uniform. The bubbles become more concentrated as in the center of the inverted cone. The number of bubbles dissipated from the water surface is normally distributed. The DEM simulation is a novel approach to studying air sparging technology that can provide us a deeper insight into bubble migration at the microscopic level.

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Effects of Aggregate Mesostructure on Permanent Deformation of Asphalt Mixture Using Three-Dimensional Discrete Element Modeling

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma12213601 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (21) ◽

pp. 3601 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Deyu Zhang ◽

Linhao Gu ◽

Junqing Zhu

Keyword(s):

Surface Texture ◽

Deformation Behavior ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Permanent Deformation ◽

Asphalt Mixture ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Vertical Direction ◽

Discrete Element ◽

Asphalt Mixtures ◽

Creep Tests

This paper investigated the effects of aggregate mesostructures on permanent deformation behavior of an asphalt mixture using the three-dimensional (3D) discrete element method (DEM). A 3D discrete element (DE) model of an asphalt mixture composed of coarse aggregates, asphalt mastic, and air voids was developed. Mesomechanical models representing the interactions among the components of asphalt mixture were assigned. Based on the mesomechanical modeling, the uniaxial static load creep tests were simulated using the prepared models, and effects of aggregate angularity, orientation, surface texture, and distribution on the permanent deformation behavior of the asphalt mixtures were analyzed. It was proven that good aggregate angularity had a positive effect on the permanent deformation performance of the asphalt mixtures, especially when approximate cubic aggregates were used. Aggregate packing was more stable when the aggregate orientations tended to be horizontal, which improved the permanent deformation performance of the asphalt mixture. The influence of orientations of 4.75 mm size aggregates on the permanent deformation behavior of the asphalt mixture was significant. Use of aggregates with good surface texture benefitted the permanent deformation performance of the asphalt mixture. Additionally, the non-uniform distribution of aggregates had a negative impact on the permanent deformation performance of the asphalt mixtures, especially when aggregates were distributed non-uniformly in the vertical direction.

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Determination of discrete element model parameters for a cohesive soil and validation through narrow point opener performance analysis

Soil and Tillage Research ◽

10.1016/j.still.2021.105123 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 213 ◽

pp. 105123 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kojo Atta Aikins ◽

Mustafa Ucgul ◽

James B. Barr ◽

Troy A. Jensen ◽

Diogenes L. Antille ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Performance Analysis ◽

Cohesive Soil ◽

Element Model ◽

Discrete Element ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Discrete Element Model

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A calibration framework for discrete element model parameters using genetic algorithms

Advanced Powder Technology ◽

10.1016/j.apt.2018.03.001 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 1393-1403 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Huy Q. Do ◽

Alejandro M. Aragón ◽

Dingena L. Schott

Keyword(s):

Genetic Algorithms ◽

Element Model ◽

Discrete Element ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Discrete Element Model

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Identification of the Discrete Element Model Parameters for Rock-Like Brittle Materials

Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences ◽

10.32604/cmes.2020.07438 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 123 (2) ◽

pp. 717-737 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rui Chen ◽

Yong Wang ◽

Ruitao Peng ◽

Shengqiang Jiang ◽

Congfang Hu and Ziheng Zhao

Keyword(s):

Brittle Materials ◽

Element Model ◽

Discrete Element ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Discrete Element Model

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Scaling of discrete element model parameters for cohesionless and cohesive solid

Powder Technology ◽

10.1016/j.powtec.2015.05.051 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 293 ◽

pp. 130-137 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Subhash C. Thakur ◽

Jin Y. Ooi ◽

Hossein Ahmadian

Keyword(s):

Element Model ◽

Discrete Element ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Discrete Element Model

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Investigating the Functions of Particles in Packed Aggregate Blend using a Discrete Element Method

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma12040556 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 556 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Yinghao Miao ◽

Weixiao Yu ◽

Yue Hou ◽

Liyan Guo ◽

Linbing Wang

Keyword(s):

Discrete Element Method ◽

Mechanical Characteristics ◽

Asphalt Mixture ◽

Discrete Element ◽

Asphalt Mixtures ◽

Coarse Aggregates ◽

And Function ◽

Skeleton Structure ◽

Element Method ◽

Aggregate Particles

In asphalt mixture, aggregates account for up to 90% of the total volume and play an important role in the mechanical characteristics of asphalt mixture. The proportions of fine and coarse aggregates in gradation, as well as the function of aggregate particles, are important factors for the skeleton structure performance of asphalt mixtures. However, the existing asphalt mixture design methods are mostly based on empirical methods, where the non-uniformity and complexity of the composition of asphalt mixtures are not fully studied. In this study, the skeleton structure of aggregate mixture and function of aggregate are studied and analyzed using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). The Particle Flow 3D (PFC3D) DEM program is used to perform the numerical simulation. The average contact number and interaction forces by aggregate particles of different sizes are obtained and studied. The skeleton structure of aggregate mixture and function of aggregate particles are further analyzed from the meso-structural perspective.

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