Visualization and Quantification of Hot Mix Asphalt Characteristics using X-Ray Computed Tomography

摘要

This paper presents a framework for employing X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) for the evaluation of asphalt beam characteristics. The analysis was carried out on acquired images before and after four-point bending fatigue testing. Both the two-dimensional (2D) slices and three-dimensional (3D) analysis were applied. The applicability of image-based analysis to understand internal Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) structural complexity was explored. A review of the key image-measured HMA parameters and findings from previous studies are also summarized in this paper. The review showed that image analysis can be successfully applied to quantify the HMA internal structure including air voids distribution, aggregate characteristics in the compacted mixture, and the damage imposed by laboratory testing. In the current case study, both air voids distribution and damage were quantified. It was found that the air voids distribution in the asphalt beam changes significantly with beam length. The damage was successfully quantified after its' propagation. However, crack detection and analysis is still a challenge due the computational issues and the need for advanced algorithms.