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Generation of virtual asphalt mixture porosity for computational modelling

Chiarelli, Andrea; Dawson, Andrew; Garcia, Alvaro

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Authors

Andrea Chiarelli

Andrew Dawson

Alvaro Garcia



Abstract

A new algorithm is proposed for the computational generation of realistic asphalt mixture porosity for computational simulations. The algorithm starts by generating in a 2D domain a number of randomly positioned circular or elliptical elements that are meant to represent virtual asphalt aggregate particles. These elements are then grown by mimicking the biological mechanism called contact inhibition until a target air void content (AVC), chosen by the user, is met. In addition, multiple 2D domains can be converted to 3D and combined to generate a multi-layered realistic representation of the porosity present in asphalt mixtures. In this paper, the working mechanism of the algorithm is described and its efficiency is assessed. Moreover, the validity of the results is discussed, and virtual domains, in both 2 and 3 dimensions, are compared with real CT scans in order to show the efficacy of this approach. It was found that the virtual representations of the asphalt mixture porosity show realistic characteristics in terms of air void content and that the air void size distribution is consistent with that of real specimens.

Citation

Chiarelli, A., Dawson, A., & Garcia, A. (2015). Generation of virtual asphalt mixture porosity for computational modelling. Powder Technology, 275, 351-360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2015.01.070

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 31, 2015
Online Publication Date Feb 7, 2015
Publication Date 2015
Deposit Date Jul 8, 2016
Publicly Available Date Jul 8, 2016
Journal Powder Technology
Print ISSN 0032-5910
Electronic ISSN 1873-328X
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 275
Pages 351-360
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2015.01.070
Keywords Asphalt; Air void content; Packing; Porosity
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/752822
Publisher URL https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84923383669&doi=10.1016%2fj.powtec.2015.01.070&partnerID=40&md5=59ca3bb24f445ab5dc8135c36508f854
Contract Date Jul 8, 2016

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