“Engineering and optimization of asphalt mixtures in laboratory is very important to achieve the desired performance of the pavements and to reduce the likelihood of expensive premature failures. Since there are several variables in play that affect the performance of an asphalt mixture, a systematic evaluation of innumerable combinations is required to appropriately characterize the performance of asphalt mixtures. However, such an effort is practically not feasible in a laboratory setting using conventional experimental methods. Computational models therefore offer the advantage of efficient execution of a broad range of parametric and probabilistic analyses.
This study demonstrates the potential of using physics engines to simulate asphalt mixture compaction process. Physics engines were originally developed for animation and video games, however, due to improvement in accuracy they are being used in many research areas.
This study presents a computational model developed using Bullet physics engine to virtually to compact asphalt mixtures in a gyratory compactor using real aggregates. To demonstrate the feasibility of this model, effect of three key compaction parameters (i) angle of gyration, (ii) compaction pressure and (iii) specimen height on the compaction characteristics were analyzed and compared with laboratory findings from various studies.
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