Analysis and numerical simulation of semi-circle bending fatigue crack propagation of asphalt mixture

Abstract

In order to study the fatigue crack propagation characteristics of asphalt mixture, a model of fatigue crack dynamically propagating was established based on the Paris law modified with fracture energy release rate. Four different types of asphalt mixture were tested using semi-circular bending fatigue test (SCB fatigue test) to obtain the corresponding N-a curves. The extended finite element method (XFEM)was adopted to simulate the SCB fatigue tests for 4 types of asphaltmixture. The results show that the N-a curve obtained from the finite element model is highly consistent with the experimental results, which verifies the feasibility of fatigue crack propagation analysis based on modified Paris Law characterized by fracture energy release rate for asphaltmixtures. The extended finite element methodwas used to establish the fatigue crack dynamic propagation model of the asphalt mixtures. The fatigue crack propagation process of the specimen was simulated to verify the effectiveness of the method.