Damage Modeling of Asphalt Concrete Considering Wet and Dry Materials

Abstract

This study was conducted to understand asphalt concrete (AC) behavior using finite element method (FEM) modeling considering wet and dry aggregate-binder mixture. A small-scale FEM model of AC was developed considering an aggregate coated with matrix materials. Maximum stress criteria and surfacebased traction-separation law were applied on matrix materials and matrix-aggregate interface, respectively, using ABAQUS. Results indicated that shear stress reached its capacity and damage initiated earlier in wet matrix materials due to moisture and caused higher damage. Moisture caused 62.80% more damage in matrix materials when compared with dry matrix materials. Damage occurred at the matrix-aggregate interface when shear contact stress reached its capacity and interfacial debonding occurred at the damaged locations. Moisture caused 17.45% more debonding at the interface region compared to the dry matrix. However, wet aggregate did not change the damage scenario at the matrix-aggregate interface when compared with dry aggregate. Matrix materials slid horizontally (i.e., relative displacement) and moved vertically (i.e., contact opening) at the debonding locations. The strong rebound effect of dry matrix was the reason for the higher relative displacement and contact opening at the damaged locations.