Monte Carlo simulations of the fracture resistance of an asphalt pavement layer

• Published in: Construction & building materials 2024-11, Vol.452, p.138970, Article 138970
• Main Authors: Smakosz, Łukasz, Szydłowski, Cezary, Górski, Jarosław
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Asphalt concrete; Monte Carlo method; Numerical modeling; Pavement cracking
• ISSN: 0950-0618
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.138970

The purpose of the proposed numerical model is to analyze the cracking of the wearing course in a pavement overlay, assuming a pre-existing crack that passes through the binding layer and base. The computations employed the author's simulation-based Monte Carlo material model, which describes the failure process of a Semi-Circular Bend (SCB) specimen during standard laboratory testing of asphalt concrete. A key feature of this model is the incorporation of the random nature of material parameters, allowing for the simulation of result dispersion when analyzing a sufficiently large population of samples. The proposed FEM model and obtained material data were directly applied to the numerical analysis of the pavement structure. The comprehensive computational algorithm allows for a random description of the load that induces crack propagation in the pavement wearing course, leading to the creation of a histogram that defines the range of failure load dispersion. Such supporting calculations can assist in optimizing asphalt mix design and, in the future, may allow for the estimation of pavement structure reliability. [Display omitted] •Replacing deterministic calculations with random analysis of asphalt concrete damage.•Simulation of asphalt concrete pavement damage by a Monte Carlo material model.•Application of SCB experimental results to pavement degradation description.•Simulation of the variability of the critical load describing the road cracking.•Estimation of a probability histogram of force initiating road cracking.