2D and 3D fracture modeling of asphalt mixture with randomly distributed aggregates and embedded cohesive cracks

This paper develops a mesoscale finite element method for realistic modeling of complex cohesive fracture in asphalt mixture with a given gradation. A random aggregate generation and packing algorithm is employed to create 2D and 3D heterogeneous asphalt mixture specimens, and cohesive elements with tension/shear softening laws are inserted into both mastic and aggregate-mastic interfaces to simulate crack initiation and propagation. The nucleation and coalescence of microcracks and propagation of macrocracks in 2D and 3D specimens is realistically modeled in detail with a few important conclusions drawn. The effects of coarse aggregate distributions on performance of asphalt mixture are also evaluated. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B. V. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Institute of the Engineering Mechanics.