Bituminous Mixtures Simulation With Distinct Particle Elements Method

The paper investigates the use of Distinct Particle Elements Method (DEM) to simulate the behaviour of a bituminous mixture in a Marshall test. To investigate the effect of particles number on material properties two different specimen generation procedures have been implemented: the up-scaling technique, that allows to enlarge the particles diameter with a great reduction of their number and consequently of the computational times, and the cluster logic, that allows to schematize aggregates with group of particles of arbitrary shape that are physically bonded together. For each test the stability-flow curve and the stresses in the specimen have been investigated. To point out DEM particular features in performance related modelling of asphalt concrete tests, the laboratory results have been reproduced also with a finite difference code.