|
|||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Influence of cracks
on the mechanical response of structural layers of asphalt
pavements using the discrete element method
Guofang Zhao, Yadong Liu, Xiaoyong Wu, Zhanyou Yan and Xiangyang Lv |
|
Vol. 20 (2025), No. 3, 269–288
|
Abstract |
|
Asphalt concrete is the main type of pavement used on expressways. After long-term use, fine cracks inevitably occur inside the pavement, significantly impacting its performance and service life. To investigate the mechanical response of asphalt concrete pavements with initial defects under vehicle-road coupling, a microscale, multilayer subgrade pavement model was constructed using the discrete element method. After comparing the uniaxial compression experiment data for each structural layer in the model with actual experimental data under the same working conditions, the mesoscopic parameters for each pavement structural layer were obtained through continuous iterative calculations. These parameters were used to create a discrete element model of the multilayer subgrade and pavement. In the discrete element model, a constant load travelling at a constant speed was used for the calculation, and a discrete fracture network (DFN) was used to characterize the initial defects in the pavement. The response of initial defects to the structural layers of asphalt pavements was studied by altering the number of microcracks in the upper and lower layers. Summary of results: The number of microcracks in the pavement significantly influenced the peak stress value. Compared to pavements without cracks, the vertical stress of each structural layer was reduced by 8% to 10%, the horizontal stress by 9% to 12% and the tangential stress by 5% to 8%. The greater the number of microcracks in the upper layer when mobile loads are applied, the smaller the vertical/horizontal stress response of the lower layer would be. When there were 200–400 microcracks in the upper layer (positioned at 1,000 microcracks in the lower layer), the horizontal stress in the upper layer decreased by 26%, as did the shear stress by 9.5%. Microcracks significantly impacted the response of asphalt concrete pavements to vehicle-road coupling. |
Keywords
microcracks, mechanical response, discrete element model,
vehicle-road interaction, stress
|
Milestones
Received: 28 February 2025
Revised: 26 May 2025
Accepted: 27 June 2025
Published: 2 September 2025
|
Authors |
| Guofang Zhao | |
| Hebei Vocational University of
Industry and Technology Shijiazhuang, 050091 China |
|
| Yadong Liu | |
| Handan Transportation Construction
Investment Management Center Handan, 056002 China |
|
| Xiaoyong Wu | |
| Shijiazhuang Fangzhou Highway
Engineering Experiment and Testing Co., Ltd Shijiazhuang, 050080 China |
|
| Zhanyou Yan | |
| Shijiazhuang Tiedao University Shijiazhuang, 050043 China |
|
| Xiangyang Lv | |
| Hebei Vocational University of
Industry and Technology Shijiazhuang, 050091 China |
|
| © 2025 MSP (Mathematical Sciences Publishers). |
