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Mixing Workability of Polymer-Modified Asphalt Mixtures Based on Discrete Element Modeling
Yiqian Lin1, Shanghui Li1, Jinlong Huang2
1College of Intelligent Construction, Fuzhou University of International Studies and Trade, Fuzhou 350202, China.
Polymers
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Polymer-modified asphalt mixtures show poorer mixing workability due to higher viscosity. Temperature significantly impacts asphalt workability, with lower temperatures reducing mixing efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Civil Engineering
- Materials Science
- Rheology
Background:
- Asphalt workability is critical for effective pavement construction and ensuring long-term durability.
- Understanding the factors influencing asphalt mixing workability is essential for optimizing pavement performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the macroscopic and mesoscopic mixing workability of base and polymer-modified asphalt mixtures.
- To investigate the influence of factors like temperature, gradation, and binder type on asphalt mixing workability.
- To simulate and understand the micro-mechanisms affecting asphalt mixing workability.
Main Methods:
- Experimental evaluation using a modified testing device for macroscopic workability.
- Three-dimensional discrete element method (DEM) simulation using Particle Flow Code for mesoscopic workability.
- Sensitivity analysis to determine the significance of influencing factors.
Main Results:
- Polymer-modified asphalt mixtures exhibited lower mixing workability than base asphalt mixtures, correlated with higher binder viscosity.
- Mixing workability decreased with increasing nominal maximum aggregate size.
- Open-graded mixtures demonstrated inferior mixing ability compared to continuous and gap-graded mixtures.
- Temperature was identified as the most significant factor influencing mixing workability, followed by gradation and asphalt binder type.
Conclusions:
- Lower temperatures lead to denser contact force chains, explaining reduced mixing workability.
- Aggregate gradation primarily influences load transfer pathways rather than contact force properties.
- These findings offer a theoretical foundation for comprehending asphalt mixture mixing behaviors.
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