Finite Element Approach to Evaluate the Resistance to Plastic Flow in Asphalt Mixtures

Abstract

This study is aimed to present theoretical and experimental investigation to evaluate the resistance flow of asphaltic concrete materials. To study theoretically the stability of asphalt mixture, non linear finite element approach has been used. The ANSYS finite element computer program is used to present and simulate asphalt mixture specimens. The finite element solution using ANSYS are compared with experimental tests results. The experimental work includes; Marshall test, furthermore, different factors have been considered in this study. The results of statistical analysis indicate a good agreement is obtained between the experimental and the finite element program results of stability and flow. Comparison with the experimental results indicate that the ability of the finite element program to analyze the behavior of asphalt concrete mixture. The obtained results indicates that the vertical and shear strain increase and reach its maximum value at the edge of specimen, which results in longitudinal cracks originated from the edge and growth along the tested specimen. Also the crack intensity factor is increased which may be attributes to the decrease of horizontal stress and increase of shears stresses that cause the specimen failure.