Performance characterization of asphalt mixtures using meso mechanics approach

In this study meso-mechanics approach was utilized to analyze the bulk response of an Asphalt Concrete (AC) mixture. The work consists of two parts: experimental and numerical. In the experimental part, uni-axial tests were carried out on rectangular specimens to determine the complex modulus at various temperatures. Similarly, Dynamic Shear Rheometer tests were carried out to obtain the response of the bituminous mortar. In the numerical part images were first taken from the four faces of the rectangular AC specimen and were translated into meso-scale FE models. frequency domain simulations were performed at various frequencies and temperatures to predict the complex modulus. Both plain-strain and plain-stress modeling approaches were investigated. The obtained simulation results were then validated with the results from bulk AC mixture testing. Results indicated that the bulk response of an asphalt mixture can reasonably be predicted based on information on the component materials, meso-scale geometry and loading.