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Advances in Pavement Engineering: Materials, Performance, and Sustainability

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A special issue of Infrastructures (ISSN 2412-3811). This special issue belongs to the section "Infrastructures Materials and Constructions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026 | Viewed by 4970

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiao Chen

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Guest Editor

Civil and Environmental Department, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, USA
Interests: sustainable and resilient transportation infrastructure; multi-scale and multi-physics modeling; probabilistic risk analysis; advanced civil material process
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Guangji Xu

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Guest Editor

School of Transportation, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
Interests: asphalt aging; recycling; multiscale characterization; modelling of pavement materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue highlights the latest advancements in pavement engineering, focusing on innovative materials, performance-driven design, and strategies for sustainable development. As transportation infrastructure is increasingly challenged by climate change, rising traffic demands, and resource limitations, the need for resilient, durable, and environmentally sustainable pavement systems has never been greater. Recent progress in this field spans the design and characterization of novel materials, improved mechanistic understanding of pavement behavior under extreme weather events, and the integration of sustainability metrics into maintenance and rehabilitation planning.

A holistic approach to pavement engineering requires synergistic efforts across materials science, structural mechanics, data-driven and multiphysics modeling, and life cycle thinking. This Special Issue aims to bring together state-of-the-art research and practical insights that advance the long-term durability, resilience, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of roadway systems.

Contributions are invited on, but not limited to, the following topics:

Innovative and sustainable materials for asphalt and concrete pavements;
Advanced performance testing and modeling of pavement structures;
Climate resilience and adaptation strategies in pavement engineering;
Pavement management systems, maintenance strategies, and decision-making tools;
Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) in pavement systems.

Dr. Xiao Chen
Dr. Guangji Xu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Infrastructures is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

pavement materials
pavement performance
pavement design
resilient pavement systems
life cycle analysis
multiphysics modeling

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 12799 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Rheological Properties and Composition of SBS-Modified Bitumen in Xinjiang Under Short-Term Thermal-Oxidative and Long-Term Oxidative Pressure Aging

by Yingchun Yin, Wengui Zhang, Wei Wan, Yile Chen and Zunqing Liu

Infrastructures 2026, 11(6), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures11060193 - 7 Jun 2026

Viewed by 205

Abstract

To investigate the rheological properties and compositional changes in SBS-modified bitumen under different aging conditions in the unique environmental conditions of the Xinjiang region, this study selected a local 70# base bitumen from Xinjiang and prepared modified bitumen by adding 4.0%, 4.5%, and 5.0% SBS modifier, respectively. RTFOT and PAV were used to simulate the short-term thermal-oxidative aging and long-term oxidative pressure aging processes of the bitumen samples, respectively. The three key indicators and dynamic rheological properties of the bitumen were tested for the original sample, as well as before and after short-term thermal-oxidative aging and long-term oxidative pressure aging. Thin-layer chromatography/flame ionization detection (TLC/FID) was used to analyze the migration patterns of the samples’ chemical components, and a random forest model was employed to establish a quantitative mapping between the four components of the modified bitumen and the rutting factor over a wide temperature range. The results indicate that aging weakens the improvement effect of SBS on the high-temperature performance of bitumen. However, 4.5% SBS-modified bitumen subjected to long-term oxidative pressure aging still maintains the best high- and low-temperature performance, elastic recovery capacity, and fatigue resistance compared to other dosage levels. It also has the highest bitumen content, which verifies the high-temperature performance of this dosage at the component level. Therefore, the optimal SBS dosage is recommended to be 4.5%. Notably, as the SBS content increases, it significantly regulates the increase in heavy fraction content during the aging process, while the decrease in light fraction content is not significantly affected by the content. Based on the random forest algorithm, a mapping relationship between fractions and properties under fully aged conditions was established. This study provides a theoretical basis for research on the modification and aging mechanisms of Xinjiang bitumen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pavement Engineering: Materials, Performance, and Sustainability)

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23 pages, 2115 KB

Open AccessArticle

Structural Analysis of Flexible Pavements with HMA Exposed to Short-Term Aging

by Taciano Oliveira da Silva, Klaus Henrique de Paula Rodrigues, Heraldo Nunes Pitanga, Francisco Aureliano Rocha de Vasconcelos Teixeira, Kelbia da Silva Santos, Paulo Roberto Borges, Gustavo Henrique Nalon and Karine de Oliveira Santos

Infrastructures 2026, 11(5), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures11050166 - 9 May 2026

Viewed by 346

Abstract

This study presents a comparative evaluation of the structural performance of flexible pavements made from different hot mix asphalt (HMA). HMAs were proportioned using the conventional Marshall method and HMAs subjected to short-term aging were analyzed. Grades B (binder course) and C (surface course), according to DNIT specifications, were used. After determining the aggregate gradation and asphalt content using the Marshall method, test specimens were produced and tested in the laboratory to determine the mechanical parameters characteristic of each HMA (stability, tensile strength by diametral compression, resilient modulus, fatigue behavior, and permanent strain). The Elsym5 software was used to carry out a structural analysis of an assumed pavement, whereby only the mechanical properties of the surface course and the binder course were varied. The results showed that short-term aging significantly affected the mechanical behavior of HMA and the structural response of flexible pavements. Better structural performance was observed in HMAs subjected to short-term aging. The aged specimens showed an improvement in mechanical properties compared to specimens produced by the conventional method, indicating a promising approach for optimizing pavement performance. These results provided new parameters for investigation and development in the field of road engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pavement Engineering: Materials, Performance, and Sustainability)

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23 pages, 5138 KB

Open AccessArticle

Translating Regional Air-Temperature Exposure into Thermal States of Pavement Materials: A Probabilistic Screening Framework

by Shuo Liu, Jingbo Qing and Jiabin Liu

Infrastructures 2026, 11(5), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures11050162 - 7 May 2026

Viewed by 256

Abstract

Meteorological archives often preserve abundant air-temperature records. However, verified pavement distress records are often unavailable. This makes it difficult to translate archive-scale temperature data into material thermal states that can support engineering screening and interpretation. This study develops a temperature-only probabilistic framework that links a national daily air-temperature background with asphalt and concrete thermal states through site-specific calibration. Northeast China was selected as the case study region, where synchronous 5-min observations of air, concrete, and asphalt temperatures were available from 2024 to 2025. Nationwide daily records from 1951 to 2019 place the air-temperature exposure background of the case study region in a national context. The case study region does not emerge as a dominant national hot-tail regime. Instead, it is characterized by colder minima and larger daily air-temperature ranges than the pooled national background. Under the same air-temperature exposure, asphalt showed stronger amplification of thermal peaks and diurnal cycling than concrete. In the case study region, both materials show a consistently cold-dominant screening pattern, with fluctuation screening secondary and hot screening limited. This qualitative ordering is preserved across weighting, archive-window, and transfer model sensitivity analyses, although hot and fluctuation magnitudes are less stable than the cold side estimates. The framework should therefore be interpreted as a thermal screening tool calibrated at a single monitored site, rather than as a universally validated distress or failure model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pavement Engineering: Materials, Performance, and Sustainability)

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20 pages, 2504 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Horizontal Directional Drilling on Mechanical Properties of Airfield Pavements: An Integrated Study Based on Finite Element Modeling and Field Tests

by Yun Sheng, Wei Huang, Xuedong Fang and Yuxing Liu

Infrastructures 2026, 11(4), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures11040114 - 26 Mar 2026

Viewed by 475

Abstract

This study explores the structural safety, mechanical response and optimal construction parameters of the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology applied in airport rigid pavements novelly for navigation lighting renovation. This study adopts a combined research method of three-dimensional finite element modeling (FEM) and field tests (full-scale 4C and 4E class airport runway sections). The reliability of the model is verified by the measured data using a Heavy Weight Deflectometer (HWD). The effects of drilling depth, drilling position and typical aircraft loads on the stress and deformation at the bottom of the pavement slab are systematically analyzed. Then, drilling, grouting and non-destructive testing are carried out in the field full-scale test section to investigate the change in pavement bearing capacities. The results show that minimized influence on the mechanical properties of the pavement can be achieved by using 15 cm drilling depths at either slab center or joints. The pavement stiffness slightly decreases by a maximum of 18.9% after drilling. According to the field grouting test, the Impulse Stiffness Modulus (ISM) of most measuring points can be recovered to the original level before drilling. The use of a 10 cm diameter HDD driller meets the structural safety requirements of airport pavements. The HDD technology induces minimized pavement damage and influence on the bearing capacity of the airport runway structure compared with traditional construction technologies, highlighting its advantages in airfield navigation lighting renovations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pavement Engineering: Materials, Performance, and Sustainability)

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16 pages, 3204 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comfort Assessment of Micromobility Infrastructure with an Instrumented Vehicle

by Víctor Just-Martínez, Ana María Pérez-Zuriaga, David Llopis-Castelló, Carlos Alonso-Troyano and Alfredo García

Infrastructures 2026, 11(2), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures11020051 - 3 Feb 2026

Viewed by 647

Abstract

Micromobility studies sustainable urban mobility. In this area, bicycles have been the most popular vehicle for several years. However, the recent growth of users of alternative mobility vehicles, such as stand-up electric scooters (e-scooters), has raised several questions on how they interact with the infrastructure and other users, as well as whether the existing infrastructure is suitable for these vehicles. One of the variables to be analyzed is riding comfort, which can be measured through the vibrations transmitted to users by the pavement. Thus, this paper presents a methodology to assess the comfort of the micromobility infrastructure based on the vertical accelerations registered by an instrumented e-scooter. This methodology has been applied in ten sections of the cycling infrastructure network of Valencia (Spain). The analysis showed that asphalt presented less vibrations than any other material, followed by concrete and square tiling alike, and finishing with transversely oriented cobblestones. This translates directly to comfort, with asphaltic pavements being more comfortable than any other. The analysis also showed that higher speeds mean higher vibrations. This proves to be a useful tool for infrastructure management, where the administrator can place more uncomfortable pavements to lower the riding speed in desired areas (e.g., schools). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pavement Engineering: Materials, Performance, and Sustainability)

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28 pages, 10782 KB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Root Causes of Wide Thermal Cracks in the Southwestern United States

by Saed N. A. Aker, Awais Zahid, Masih Beheshti and Hasan Ozer

Infrastructures 2026, 11(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures11010019 - 8 Jan 2026

Viewed by 1330

Abstract

Wide thermal cracks are a common form of pavement distress affecting primary state and county highways, urban residential streets, and parking lots across the Southwest climatic regions. These cracks are primarily caused by thermal fatigue, driven by diurnal temperature variations despite the lack of extremely cold events. This research aims to identify and analyze the local factors contributing to the initiation and propagation of thermal fatigue cracks. Field cores are collected from 12 sites exhibiting wide thermal cracks in the Phoenix metropolitan area in Arizona to evaluate their volumetric properties and the degree of binder aging. Advanced finite element (FE) models were developed to examine the influence of pavement structures and local climatic conditions on the development of tensile stresses due to thermal fatigue. The FE analysis indicated a high magnitude of thermal stresses due to cyclic temperature variations in Arizona compared to colder regions in the United States. Based on the forensic investigation and analysis performed, the initiation of wide cracks was shown to be primarily due to repeated localized damage from frequent thermal fatigue events on severely aged pavements. This damage is exacerbated by low air voids in mineral aggregate, an insufficient effective binder volume. and excessive binder aging, which compromise the structural integrity of the pavement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pavement Engineering: Materials, Performance, and Sustainability)

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Review

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18 pages, 6540 KB

Open AccessReview

Pavements and the Urban Heat Island Effect: A Network Analysis of Research Trends and Knowledge Structure

by Fouzieh Rouzmehr and Saman Jamshidi

Infrastructures 2025, 10(12), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10120344 - 12 Dec 2025

Viewed by 970

Abstract

The urban heat island (UHI) effect is one of the most pressing challenges associated with rapid urbanization. It arises primarily from the replacement of natural vegetation with impervious surfaces, alterations in surface energy balance, and heat emissions from human activity. Mitigating these drivers has become a global priority, particularly in fast-growing cities. Pavements play a central role in UHI intensification due to their large surface coverage, low albedo, and capacity to retain heat. This study adopts a bibliometric approach to systematically map the knowledge structure and research trends in pavement-related UHI studies. A dataset of 834 publications from Web of Science was analyzed using VOSviewer to identify leading countries and journals, central publications, the temporal evolution of research themes, and the thematic structure of the field. The analysis revealed three dominant themes: (1) pavement materials and their properties, (2) mitigation strategies that prevent UHI, and (3) cooling interventions to mitigate UHI. This study attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of the field and to clarify its interdisciplinary connections with climate adaptation and sustainability discourse. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pavement Engineering: Materials, Performance, and Sustainability)

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