Over the last few years, several researchers have employed computational methods to model and investigate the overall behaviour of asphalt mixture composites and different factors that influence this behaviour. Two-dimensional models, particularly those with computationally generated geometries, are commonly used in lieu of three-dimensional models due to their computational efficiency. When building these types of models, it is critical to properly determine a two-dimensional area distribution of aggregates in a given cross section, which needs to be generated from a representative three-dimensional volumetric gradation. This can be typically achieved using some form of mathematical transformation; one type of transformation often used for asphalt mixture gradations is inverse stereology. The goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the inverse stereology approach when compared with the true two-dimensional area gradation observed in laboratory compacted HMA specimens. The results from this study show that an inverse stereology approach based on a polyhedron shape was effective in replicating the two-dimensional area gradation created by cutting a laboratory specimen. In addition, the aspect ratio of particles was considered based on cutting the specimens vertically and horizontally; it was determined that no substantial difference existed between the vertical and horizontal cut specimens. However, it was also confirmed that the aspect ratios obtained using aggregate imaging are not representative of aspect ratios in a two dimensional cross-section of an asphalt mixture. An inverse stereology approach to converting aspect ratios from 2D to 3D provided better results, but was still not accurately able to represent the distribution of aspect ratios of aggregates.

在过去几年中，一些研究人员采用计算方法对沥青混合料复合材料的整体行为以及影响这种行为的不同因素进行建模和研究。二维模型，尤其是那些具有计算生成几何形状的模型，由于其计算效率，通常用于代替三维模型。在构建这些类型的模型时，正确确定给定横截面中骨料的二维区域分布至关重要，这需要从具有代表性的三维体积级配中生成。这通常可以使用某种形式的数学变换来实现；一种常用于沥青混合料级配的变换类型是逆立体学。本研究的目的是确定与在实验室压实的 HMA 标本中观察到的真实二维区域渐变相比，逆立体学方法的有效性。这项研究的结果表明，基于多面体形状的逆立体学方法可有效复制通过切割实验室标本创建的二维区域渐变。此外，颗粒的纵横比是基于垂直和水平切割试样来考虑的；确定垂直和水平切割试样之间不存在实质性差异。然而，也证实了使用骨料成像获得的纵横比并不代表沥青混合料二维横截面的纵横比。