Transforming Asphalt Quality Evaluation: A Digital Twin Exploration Using Microcomputer Tomography and MATLAB Analysis
摘要
This chapter explores a groundbreaking shift in the evaluation of asphalt pavements by investigating the potential of digital twin technology as an alternative to traditional laboratory tests. Focusing on two road sections, namely national road 4 at Gjøvik and E-road 6 at Tretten in Norway, both featuring the same asphalt type Stone mastic asphalt (SMA) 16 PmB, the study conducts a comparative analysis of air voids and resistance to permanent deformation. A total of 12 asphalt samples were extracted, and digital twins were generated utilizing microcomputer tomography alongside a MATLAB script for 3D visualization and analysis. The research method involved validating the digital twin results against outcomes obtained from standardized laboratory tests. The findings suggest that the digital twin approach not only yields accurate assessments of air void quantity and distribution but also provides unique insights into the internal microstructure of asphalt. This transformative methodology presents a promising avenue for the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) to enhance efficiency and precision in asphalt quality evaluations, signaling a potential paradigm shift in pavement assessment practices.