PURPOSES :Conductive and convective heat transfer simulations for an asphalt mixture were made by using discrete element method (DEM) and similarity principle.METHODS :In this research, virtual specimens composed of discrete element method particles were generated according to four different predetermined particle size distribution curves. Temperature variations of the four different particles for a given condition were estimated and were compared with measurements and analytical solutions.RESULTS :The virtual specimen with mixed particles and with the smallest particle show very good agreement with laboratory test results and analytical solutions. As particle size decreases, better heat transfer simulation can be performed due to smaller void ratio and more contact points and areas. In addition, by utilizing the similarity principle of thermal properties and corresponding time unit, analytical time can be drastically reduced.CONCLUSIONS :It is concluded that the DEM asphalt mixture specimens with similarity principle could be used to predict the temperature variation for a given condition. It is observed that the void ratio has critical effect on prediction of temperature variation. Comparing the prediction for a 4 mm particle specimen with a mixed particle specimen, it is also concluded that predicting the mixed particle specimen temperature is much more efficient considering the number of particles that are directly associated with computational time in DEM analysis.

• 윤태영(정회원·한국건설기술연구원 수석연구원·교신저자) | Taeyoung Yun