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

Abstract

the study is aimed to present theoretical and experimental investigations to evaluate the resistance flow of asphaltic concrete materials. To study theoretically the stability of asphalt mixture, a nonlinear 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 is compared with experimental test results. The experimental work includes; the 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 indicates the ability of the finite element program to analyze the behavior of asphalt concrete mixture. The obtained results indicate that the vertical and shear strain increase and reach its maximum value at the edge of the specimen, which results in longitudinal cracks originating from the edge and growth along with the tested specimen. Also, the crack intensity factor is increased which may be attributed to the decrease of horizontal stress and increase of shear stresses that cause the specimen failure.