Effects of the Ductility and Brittle Point of Modified Asphalt on the Freeze-Break Behavior of Asphalt Concrete: A 3d-Mesoscopic Damage Fe Model

•This paper establishes a 3D meso-finite element (FE) model based on an aggregate random placement procedure to simulate the freeze-break behavior of asphalt concrete samples.•An effective modulus equation of asphalt mortar, which accounts for the ductility (at 5℃) and brittle point of modified asphalts as dominant factors, is proposed.•The freeze-break temperature of modified asphalt concrete can be predicted, based on the brittle point and ductility (at 5℃) of modified asphalt.