Simulation of asphalt mixtures based on digital image using discrete element method

This paper firstly obtain coordinate geometry which can describe the internal structure of asphalt mixture using digital image processing technology, and then reconstruct model to simulate uniaxial compression test as well as analyze micromechanical properties after processing coordinate obtained using discrete element software. Constitutive laws within model are simplified as the interactions at contacts of discrete elements within a coarse aggregate, between coarse aggregates, within asphalt mastic, and between coarse aggregates and mastic. Each contact is described using a stiffness model, a bonding model and a slip model. The corresponding program are written to adjust above constitutive model parameters according to fish language. The best combination of microscale parameters is found after analyzing simulation results, it is observed that simulating constitutive behavior of asphalt mixtures using discrete element method is feasible.