Development of Back-calculation Model for Aggregate Gradation Determination Using Fractal Theory

Abstract

Several studies have shown that fractal theory can be used to analyze the morphology of aggregate materials in designing the gradation. However, the question arises whether a fractal dimension can actually represent a single aggregate gradation. This study, which is a part of a grand research to determine aggregate gradation based on known asphalt mixture specifications, is performed to clarify the aforementioned question. To do so, two steps of methodology were proposed in this study, that is, step 1 is to determine the fractal characteristics using 3 aggregate gradations (i.e. gradations near upper and lower bounds, and middle gradation); and step 2 is to back-calculate aggregate gradation based on fractal characteristics obtained using 2 scenarios, one-and multi-fractal dimension scenarios. The results of this study indicate that the multi-fractal dimension scenario provides a better prediction of aggregate gradation due to the ability of this scenario to better represent the shape of the original aggregate gradation. However, careful consideration must be observed when using more than two fractal dimensions in predicting aggregate gradation as it will increase the difficulty in developing the fractal characteristic equations.