US-China Collaboration: Using Digital Imaging to Evaluate Fracture of Asphalt Concrete

该项目将支持项目负责人阿肯色大学的Andrew Braham博士访问中国南京，与东南大学的倪福建博士和MeadWestVaco的Alex Tao先生合作。技术合作将集中在使用数字图像相关技术来捕获断裂测试过程中沥青混凝土的体积和分离特性。断裂测试已成为一种在实验室中量化沥青混凝土开裂特性的常用技术。然而，目前沥青混凝土领域的数据收集往往依赖于固定式仪表来收集数据。虽然收集的数据可以相当准确，但一个很大的缺点是数据只能在仪表连接到样品的点上收集。通过数字图像相关，在整个测试过程中对样品进行拍照，因此可以计算整个样品表面的位移和应变，而不仅仅是样品上的单个点。这很可能是材料测试的未来，这种合作将为实施新的数据收集技术提供机会。此外，这三个小组将探讨跨国公司MeadWestVaco的研究需求，以及东南大学和阿肯萨斯大学如何满足这些需求。东南大学的倪博士、MeadWestVaco的陶先生和阿肯色大学的伯拉罕博士之间的初步合作将为我们希望的三家机构未来多年的合作奠定基础。更广泛的影响：据估计，美国94%的路面表面是沥青混凝土。开车的公众都很清楚，为了维护我们都喜欢的道路，施工和相关的延误是必要的。为了减少路面的压力，这次国际合作将研究沥青混凝土的开裂特性。该小组将使用传统和更创新的设备在实验室中捕获开裂数据，这将转化为更持久和更便宜的道路。传统的测量从样品上的特定点一次读取读数，就像用尺子测量距离一样。更创新的设备使用了一个拍照的相机，允许在测试期间和测试完成后对整个样品表面进行测量。该项目将加强这一主题的国际研究合作网络。

The project will support the PI, Dr. Andrew Braham of the University of Arkansas, to visit Nanjing, China, to collaborate with Dr. Fujian Ni of Southeast University and Mr. Alex Tao of MeadWestVaco. Technical collaboration will center on the use of Digital Image Correlation to capture both bulk and separation properties of asphalt concrete during fracture testing. Fracture testing is becoming a popular technique for quantifying cracking characteristics of asphalt concrete in the laboratory. However, current data collection in the area of asphalt concrete often relies on stationary gauges to collect the data. While the data collected can be quite accurate, a large disadvantage is that data can only be collected at the point the gauge is attached to the sample. With Digital Image Correlation, pictures are taken of the sample during the whole test, so displacement and strains can be calculated across the entire specimen face, instead of just a single point on the sample. This will most likely be the future of materials testing, and this collaboration will provide the opportunity to establish the path forward in implementing the new data collection technique. In addition, the three groups will explore the research needs of a multinational company, MeadWestVaco, and how Southeast University and the University of Arkansas can address these needs. This initial collaboration between Dr. Ni of Southeast University, Mr. Tao of MeadWestVaco, and Dr. Braham of the University of Arkansas will set the stage for what we hope is years of future collaborations between the three entities.Broader Impact: It is estimated that 94 percent of the pavement surfaces in the United States are asphalt concrete. The driving public is well aware of the construction and associated delays necessary in order to maintain the roadways we all enjoy. In order to reduce the amount of distresses in pavement surfaces, this international collaboration will study cracking characteristics of asphalt concrete. This group will use both traditional and more innovative equipment to capture cracking data in the laboratory, which will translate into longer lasting and less expensive roadways. Traditional measurements take readings at one time from specific points on the sample, much like measuring a distance with a ruler. More innovative equipment uses a camera that takes pictures, allowing for measurements to be taken across the entire sample face both during the testing and after the test has been completed. This project will strengthen international research collaboration network on this topic.