Continuum-based micromechanical models for asphalt materials: Current practices & beyond. (10th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Hong; Anupam, Kumar; Scarpas, Tom; Kasbergen, Cor; Erkens, Sandra; Al Khateeb, Loay
• Is Part Of: Construction & building materials. Volume 260(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11-10
• Subjects: Continuum-based micromechanical models -- Asphalt materials -- Effective stiffness; Building materials -- Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119675
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-0618

Abstract

Highlights: A complete overview of continuum-based micromechanical models (CBMM) was presented. The application and limitations of CBMM for asphalt materials were summarized. Modified versions and new developments of CBMM were summarized. Challenges and recommendations for improving predictions' accuracy were provided. Abstract: The mechanical properties of asphalt mixture are always required for the evaluation of the durability of pavements. In order to obtain these properties without conducting expensive laboratory tests and using calibrated empirical models, research studies have been carried out to develop micromechanics-based models. Continuum-based micromechanical models (CBMM), which are developed based on continuum mechanics, have increasingly been utilized to estimate the mechanical properties of asphalt materials based on the fundamental properties of individual constituents. These analytical models are expected to provide reliable predictions without the need for extensive computational facilities. Although the utilization of CBMM has been presented by several past studies, most of the studies do not provide a concise and critical review of these models. Therefore, in this paper, a complete review of CBMM was presented. Commonly used CBMM were introduced in detail and their advantages and disadvantages were discussed and compared. Comprehensive summaries and critical discussions about their current utilization and limitations for predicting the mechanical properties of asphalt materials were given. Further modifications and new development for addressing the limitations were extensively described and discussed. In the end, research challenges were highlighted and future recommendations from different perspectives were proposed.