Asphalt Internal Structure Characterization With X-Ray Computed Tomography and Digital Image Processing

In this paper, detailed study is carried out to develop a new workflow from image acquisition to numerical simulation for the asphalt concrete microstructures. High resolution computed tomography scanned images are acquired and the image quality is improved using digital image processing techniques. Nonuniform illumination is corrected by applying an illumination profile to correct the background and flat-fields in the image. Distance map based watershed segmentation are used to segment the phases and separate the aggregates. Quantitative analysis of the micro-structure is used to determine the phase volumetric relationship and aggregates characteristics. The result of the quantitative analysis showed a very high level of reliability. Finite Element simulations were carried out with the developed micro-mechanical meshes to capture the strength and deformation mechanisms of the asphalt concrete micro-structure. From the micro-mechanical investigation the load transfer chains, higher strength characteristics and high stress localization at the mastic interface between adjacent aggregates was shown.