ABSTRACT
This article shows a technique to predict the air voids content of an asphalt mixture with no need for specimen’s manufacture. To do so, we measure aggregate shapes using a visual analysis method and recreate their geometries virtually Only aggregates bigger than 2 mm have been simulated. Then, virtual aggregate gradations are created and compacted using an iDEM method to create virtual representations of solid aggregate skeletons. We have found that the virtual compaction force can be predicted through a regression equation based on experimental results, with inputs the number of aggregates and volume of mastic. At the same time, virtual solid skeletons can be produced with predicted air voids contents.
