Generation of virtual asphalt concrete in a physics engine

The precise, quick and efficient simulation of asphalt concrete is an important step to select asphalt mixtures for a range of applications. A method to create virtual aggregates based on aggregates' topological properties and aggregate skeletons like those of asphalt concrete using a physics engine is proposed. It can produce hundreds of virtual aggregates with shape properties equivalent to these of real ones in a matter of seconds, pack them to a level of compaction like that of the Marshall compactor, and measure properties such as the expected air voids content and number of contacts between the aggregates. In the paper, only aggregates bigger than 2 mm have been considered due to computing efficiency. Besides, it was found that the main factors influencing asphalt compaction are the number of aggregates in the mixture and the amount of dust, or aggregates smaller than 2 mm, which correspond to the parts of the solid skeleton that have not been simulated. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.