A Numerical Simulation of Electrical Resistivity of Fiber-Reinforced Composites, Part 2: Flexible Bituminous Asphalt

Asphalt concrete pavements are vulnerable to freeze-thaw cycles. Consecutive cracking and penetration of corrosive agents can expedite the degradation of asphalt pavements and result in weight loss and reduced strength. Fiber reinforcement in flexible bituminous asphalt bridge cracks limits the crack width and enhances the toughness of the composite. Furthermore, steel fibers facilitate asphalt heating during maintenance and repair operations. Electrical resistivity is a vital parameter to measure the efficiency of these operations and to identify the state of degradation in fiber-reinforced asphalt concrete. The significant difference between conductivities of steel fibers and bituminous matrix warrants in-depth investigations of the influence of fiber reinforcement on the measured surface electrical resistivity of placed pavements. Numerical simulations endeavor to predict the resistivity and associated deviations due to randomly distributed fiber reinforcement. Results and discussions reveal the sources and magnitudes of fiber geometry and content adjustments. Outcomes investigate associated errors for practical applications.