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Semi-circular bend – based extended finite element modeling analysis of epoxy asphalt fracture behaviour under variable temperatures
 
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Zhegnzhou University, 100 Kexue Blvd, Zhongyuan District, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, Chiny
 
These authors had equal contribution to this work
 
 
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Ince Mutolo Mumba   

Zhegnzhou University, 100 Kexue Blvd, Zhongyuan District, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, Chiny
 
 
Adv. Sci. Technol. Res. J. 2025; 19(9)
 
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ABSTRACT
Cracking in asphalt pavements remains a significant challenge in road infrastructure worldwide. Epoxy asphalt concrete (EAC), known for its superior mechanical properties compared to conventional asphalt mixtures, is commonly used in high-performance applications such as bridge decks and airport runways. Understanding the fracture behavior of EAC across a range of temperatures is essential for optimizing pavement design and performance. This study employs a 2D Semi-Circular Bend (SCB) simulation using Abaqus, incorporating extended finite element modeling (XFEM), to evaluate the fracture response of EAC at four different temperatures: −15°C, −5°C, 5°C and 15°C. The results show that peak load capacity decreases from 8,625.79 N at −15°C to 4,099.57 N at 15°C, while peak displacement increases from 1.07 mm to 2.73 mm, indicating a shift from brittle to ductile behaviour. These results emphasize the importance of accounting for thermal effects in fracture design and demonstrate XFEM's capability to accurately model temperature-sensitive crack propagation in epoxy asphalt concrete. This property can be useful in design scenarios where flexibility is needed to accommodate thermal or traffic-induced strain.
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