Mesoscopic Investigation of Conventional and Weakly Bonded Cement Stabilized Macadam Based on Discrete Element Method: Considering Realistic Particle Shape Effects.

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Title: Mesoscopic Investigation of Conventional and Weakly Bonded Cement Stabilized Macadam Based on Discrete Element Method: Considering Realistic Particle Shape Effects.
Authors: Zhang, Hao1 (AUTHOR) explore2020zhang@163.com, Liang, Chunyu2 (AUTHOR), Zhang, Yancong1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Materials (1996-1944). Jun2026, Vol. 19 Issue 12, p2577. 19p.
Subjects: Discrete element method, Compressive strength, Fracture toughness, Granular materials
Abstract: Road engineers still face a critical challenge in improving the crack resistance of cement-stabilized macadam (CSM) base courses. This study employs the discrete element method (DEM) with realistic aggregate morphologies from X-ray computed tomography to model normally bonded and weakly bonded CSM. The mesoscopic parameters of normally bonded models were calibrated against laboratory unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests, and a weakening ratio of bond strength (Wrbs) was introduced to define the weakly bonded model. The results show that UCS decreases monotonically with the reduction in Wrbs and the increase in Rrca. The maximum strength reduction reaches 26.3% at the extreme condition of Rrca = 100% and Wrbs = 50%. Despite this reduction, the UCS of weakly bonded specimens remains compliant with Chinese specifications for base course materials when designed with appropriate parameters. Notably, weakly bonded specimens exhibit a more dispersed crack distribution and a more gradual energy dissipation process. This mechanism is associated with a reduced tendency for macroscopic crack initiation and propagation, suggesting the potential of weakly bonded CSM to enhance crack resistance. This work provides a mesoscopic theoretical foundation for the engineering application and sustainable development of weakly bonded CSM in pavement base courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Materials (1996-1944) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Mesoscopic Investigation of Conventional and Weakly Bonded Cement Stabilized Macadam Based on Discrete Element Method: Considering Realistic Particle Shape Effects.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Materials+%281996-1944%29%22">Materials (1996-1944)</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 19 Issue 12, p2577. 19p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Discrete+element+method%22">Discrete element method</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Compressive+strength%22">Compressive strength</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fracture+toughness%22">Fracture toughness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Granular+materials%22">Granular materials</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Road engineers still face a critical challenge in improving the crack resistance of cement-stabilized macadam (CSM) base courses. This study employs the discrete element method (DEM) with realistic aggregate morphologies from X-ray computed tomography to model normally bonded and weakly bonded CSM. The mesoscopic parameters of normally bonded models were calibrated against laboratory unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests, and a weakening ratio of bond strength (Wrbs) was introduced to define the weakly bonded model. The results show that UCS decreases monotonically with the reduction in Wrbs and the increase in Rrca. The maximum strength reduction reaches 26.3% at the extreme condition of Rrca = 100% and Wrbs = 50%. Despite this reduction, the UCS of weakly bonded specimens remains compliant with Chinese specifications for base course materials when designed with appropriate parameters. Notably, weakly bonded specimens exhibit a more dispersed crack distribution and a more gradual energy dissipation process. This mechanism is associated with a reduced tendency for macroscopic crack initiation and propagation, suggesting the potential of weakly bonded CSM to enhance crack resistance. This work provides a mesoscopic theoretical foundation for the engineering application and sustainable development of weakly bonded CSM in pavement base courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Materials (1996-1944) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.3390/ma19122577
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 19
        StartPage: 2577
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Discrete element method
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Compressive strength
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fracture toughness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Granular materials
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Mesoscopic Investigation of Conventional and Weakly Bonded Cement Stabilized Macadam Based on Discrete Element Method: Considering Realistic Particle Shape Effects.
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            NameFull: Zhang, Hao
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            NameFull: Liang, Chunyu
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            NameFull: Zhang, Yancong
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            – D: 15
              M: 06
              Text: Jun2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 19
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            – TitleFull: Materials (1996-1944)
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