Multiscale computational modeling for predicting evolution of damage in asphaltic pavements
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Heavy-load vehicles significantly influence pavement distresses and failure. As a primary variable of pavement design, accurate investigation of damage associated with the impact of heavy traffics on pavement performance is an important issue and a big challenge that pavement engineers face. To this end, this study presents a multiscale computational model for predicting evolution of damage in asphaltic pavements. The model developed herein is based on continuum mechanics and is expected to increase the ability for predicting damage-dependent behavior and the service life of pavement systems while minimizing testing effort and producing more accurate simulations than traditional experience-based phenomenological approaches. Global and local scales are systemically included in the model, represented by a whole pavement structure and a representative volume element (RVE) of the heterogeneous asphalt concrete mixture in the pavement structure, respectively. With the unique multiscale (global-local) computational analysis it is possible to take into account the effect of materials heterogeneity and damage-dependent behaviour of each mixture constituent on overall pavement performance by simply linking the properties of mixture constituents (local-scale) and pavement structural performance (global-scale). As a preliminary modeling stage, computational results depending on loading conditions are investigated herein to monitor the impact of vehicular loading conditions on pavement failure and fracture behavior. It can be concluded that the successfully developed techniques in this paper might be useful as a predictive tool for selecting better mixture components and for designing pavement structure with improved performance. 2008 Taylor & Francis Group, London.
