Study on microstructure influence mechanism to mechanical behavior of OGFC asphalt mixture

Abstract

Microstructure characteristics of OGFC (open graded friction course) asphalt mixture are closely related to the mechanical behavior. To study the microstructure influence mechanism to mechanical behavior of OGFC asphalt mixture, the digital image processing technology is used to process the specimen’s fault images and obtain the microstructure parameters of the OGFC asphalt mixture with different gradation. At the same time, the microstructure influence on mechanical behavior of OGFC asphalt mixture is explored by using the Grey correlation theory based on the experimental results of mechanical performance and the microstructure parameters. The influence of four key sieve passing percentage (1.18, 2.36, 4.75, and 9.5 mm) on the microstructure was discussed by using the Grey correlation theory, and the influence mechanism to mechanical behavior of OGFC asphalt mixture was further revealed. The results show that with the increase of air void content, the total void area, the equivalent pore diameter, and the number of big voids (here, “big” means voids with an area greater than 10 mm2) increase, the length of void and corresponding void area increase synchronously, the drainage performance is enhanced, and the mechanical performance is decreased. With the increase of nominal maximum particle size, the average area of single void, the percentage of number of big voids, and the equivalent diameter increase, and the drainage performance, anti-skidding performance, and mechanical performance of pavement are enhanced. It is considered that the key sieve passing percentage affects the mechanical behavior by influencing the microstructure of asphalt mixtures. The influence degree of microstructure parameters on mechanical behavior and the influence degree of the key sieve passing percentage on microstructure parameters were obtained. The research results have a certain reference value for the optimization of mechanical behavior of OGFC asphalt mixture.