Abstract
In this paper, detailed study is carried out to develop a new workflow from image acquisition to numerical simulation for the asphalt concrete microstructures. High resolution computed tomography scanned images are acquired and the image quality is improved using digital image processing techniques. Nonuniform illumination is corrected by applying an illumination profile to correct the background and flat-fields in the image. Distance map based watershed segmentation are used to segment the phases and separate the aggregates. Quantitative analysis of the micro-structure is used to determine the phase volumetric relationship and aggregates characteristics. The result of the quantitative analysis showed a very high level of reliability. Finite Element simulations were carried out with the developed micro-mechanical meshes to capture the strength and deformation mechanisms of the asphalt concrete micro-structure. From the micro-mechanical investigation the load transfer chains, higher strength characteristics and high stress localization at the mastic interface between adjacent aggregates was shown.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Avizo: Avizo User’s Guide. Visualization Sciences Group, Vordeaux (2009)
Coleri, E., Harvey, J.T., Yang, K., Boone, J.M.: Development of a micromechanical finite element model from computed tomography images for shear modulus simulation of asphalt mixtures. Construction and Building Materials 30(0), 783–793 (2012a)
Coleri, E., Harvey, J.T., Yang, K., Boone, J.M.: A micromechanical approach to investigate asphalt concrete rutting mechanisms. Construction and Building Materials 30, 36–49 (2012b)
Ketcham, R.A., Carlson, W.D.: Acquisition, optimization and interpretation of x-ray computed tomographic imagery: applications to the geosciences. Comput. Geosci. 27(4), 381–400 (2001)
Masad, E., Tashman, L., Little, D., Zbib, H.: Viscoplastic modeling of asphalt mixes with the effects of anisotropy, damage and aggregate characteristics. Mechanics of Materials 37(12), 1242–1256 (2005)
Schlangen, E., van Mier, J.: Simple lattice model for numerical simulation of fracture of concrete materials and structures. Materials and Structures 25, 534–542 (1992)
Wang, L.: Mechanics of Asphalt: Microstructure and Micromechanics. McGraw-Hill (2010)
Wang, Z., Kwan, A., Chan, H.: Mesoscopic study of concrete i: generation of random aggregate structure and finite element mesh. Computers and Structures 70(5), 533–544 (1999)
Wittmann, F., Roelfstra, P., Sadouki, H.: Simulation and analysis of composite structures. Materials Science and Engineering 68(2), 239–248 (1985)
You, T., Al-Rub, R.K.A., Darabi, M.K., Masad, E.A., Little, D.N.: Three-dimensional microstructural modeling of asphalt concrete using a unified viscoelastic viscoplastic viscodamage model. Construction and Building Materials 28(1), 531–548 (2012)
You, Z., Adhikari, S., Dai, Q.: Three-dimensional discrete element models for asphalt mixtures. Journal of Engineering Mechanics 134(12), 1053–1063 (2008)
Zelelew, H.M., Papagiannakis, A.T.: A volumetrics thresholding algorithm for processing asphalt concrete x-ray ct images. International Journal of Pavement Engineering 12(6), 543–551 (2011)
Bazant, Z.P., Tabbara, M.R., Kazemi, M.T., Pijaudier-Cabot, G.I.: Random particle model for fracture of aggregate or fiber composites. Journal of Engineering Mechanics 116, 1686–1705 (1990)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 RILEM
About this paper
Cite this paper
Onifade, I., Jelagin, D., Guarin, A., Birgisson, B., Kringos, N. (2013). Asphalt Internal Structure Characterization with X-Ray Computed Tomography and Digital Image Processing. In: Kringos, N., Birgisson, B., Frost, D., Wang, L. (eds) Multi-Scale Modeling and Characterization of Infrastructure Materials. RILEM Bookseries, vol 8. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6878-9_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6878-9_11
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-6877-2
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-6878-9
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)