Stochastic simulation of the influence of variation of mineral material grading and dose weight on the homogeneity of hot-mix asphalt

The aim of the study is to evaluate the influence of random errors of the stochastic technological process occurring in a batch type plant on the homogeneity of the hot-mix asphalt (HMA). The article presents the algorithm of prognosing mineral part composition of HMA, which takes into consideration a variation of mineral material cumulative percent passing through control sieves as well as errors of mineral material dose weight in the finite dosing. It is considered that percent passing and dose weight errors are independent random quantities, distributing according to the normal law. The original algorithm for the simulation of values of these two quantities is used. The mineral material grading and dose weight of the batches of HMA are selected through the use of the random number generator. To evaluate the homogeneity of the simulated lot of HMA batches, reference was made to Lithuanian Construction Recommendations R3501, limiting the admissible deviations of components quantities of HMA in comparison with the job-mix formula. The example of simulation discussed above is presented, and the results are analysed. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.