Flexible pavement simulation with distinct particle element method

Best Paper Award Session A The traditional approach to modelling asphaltic materials is to analyze them at the macro-scale using continuum-based models, in which the micromechanical behavior of the mixture is not explicitly included. So it is not easy to relate observed behavior to the micromechanics of the system. To overcome this limitation, the Distinct Particle Elements Method (DEM), which schematizes a granular material by particles that displace independently from one another and interact only at contact points, becomes a good answer. In this way, in fact, is possible to analyze the discrete character of asphaltic mixes through a microscopic approach. This paper investigates the use of Particle Flow Code (PFC), based on DEM, to simulate the visco-elastic behavior of a flexible pavement, loaded by two circular contact patches. The contact forces distribution inside the modelled section and its behaviour have been analyzed. To point out DEM particular features in analysing of pavements fatigue performances, the numerical results have been compared also with elastic models.