Analysis of Microscopic Crack Propagation in Polyurethane-Cement Stabilized Crushed Stone Based on Discrete Element Method

Authors

• YU Xin, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China; School of Transportation, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410114, ChinaFollow
• HUANG Yujie, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China
• CHEN Chen, College of Water Conservancy & Hydropower Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China
• JIANG Ziqi, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China
• WANG Min, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China
• LING Chenxin, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China

Abstract

To study the effect of polyurethane grouting on the crack repair performance of cement stabilized crushed stone, a microscopic model of cement stabilized crushed stone was established by the discrete element method (DEM) in this paper. SCB fracture simulation tests were conducted on specimens with different initial notch-to-depth ratios to obtain load ‒ displacement curves, and sensitivity analysis of microscopic parameters was performed. Then, by comparing microscopic characteristics such as crack propagation paths, crack types, and particle displacements before and after grouting, the repair effect of polyurethane grouting materials was evaluated. The results indicate that the grouting filler significantly enhances the overall stress uniformity of the specimens, expands the tension zone, and disperses internal particle displacements;after grouting, the crack propagation paths of the specimens are similar to those before grouting, but the polyurethane grouting material effectively suppresses crack initiation from the pre-cut notch;cracks mainly propagate along the aggregate ‒mortar interface at the bottom central axis and the mortar interface at the bottom of the loading plate;crack propagation undergoes three stages:slow accumulation, rapid propagation, and stabilization;the grouting filler significantly improves the crack resistance of the specimens, delays the time of crack generation, and suppresses the rapid propagation of cracks, among which the crack resistance is optimal when the notch-to-depth ratio is 0. 4R (R is the specimen radius);tensile stress is the driving force for crack propagation, and the aggregate-mortar interface and the interior of the mortar are the main weak failure interfaces;polyurethane grouting can significantly improve the crack resistance of cement stabilized crushed stone, enhance the structural integrity of the specimens, and improve stress distribution.

Publication Date

4-24-2026

DOI

10.14048/j.issn.1671-2579.2026.02.028

First Page

255

Last Page

271

Submission Date

April 2026

Recommended Citation

Xin, YU; Yujie, HUANG; Chen, CHEN; Ziqi, JIANG; Min, WANG; and Chenxin, LING (2026) "Analysis of Microscopic Crack Propagation in Polyurethane-Cement Stabilized Crushed Stone Based on Discrete Element Method," Journal of China & Foreign Highway: Vol. 46: Iss. 2, Article 28.
DOI: 10.14048/j.issn.1671-2579.2026.02.028
Available at: https://zwgl1980.csust.edu.cn/journal/vol46/iss2/28

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