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Advanced Road Materials and Pavement: Design, Characterization, Structural and Mechanical Performance

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 1152

Special Issue Editors

College of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
Interests: asphalt pavement; fiber reinforced polymer composites; renewable energy and materials

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Guest Editor
School of Transportation, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
Interests: asphalt pavement; fracture and fatigue mechanics; multiscale characterization and modeling; big data analysis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The advancement of road materials and pavement systems plays a crucial role in modern transportation infrastructure. High-performance materials, including innovative asphalt mixtures, composite pavements, and sustainable alternatives, are essential for enhancing the durability, safety, and efficiency of roadways. Key focus areas encompass various aspects of road material design, including the mechanical properties, structural behavior, and long-term performance under diverse environmental conditions and traffic loading scenarios.

The current demand for resilient road materials necessitates a comprehensive analysis of characteristics, such as strength, elasticity, and resistance to deformation and fatigue. Additionally, multifunctional properties such as self-healing capabilities, enhanced skid resistance, and temperature stability are increasingly important for improving pavement performance and longevity.

The aim of this Special Issue is to explore the latest advancements in the design and characterization of road materials and pavements. We seek contributions that address fundamental mechanisms influencing the mechanical and structural performance of these materials, including but not limited to the effects of composition, microstructural features, and environmental factors. It is recognized that the macroscopic performance of pavement systems is significantly influenced by micro- and nanoscale phenomena, making the need for multiscale modeling and innovative experimental techniques more pertinent than ever.

Topics of interest may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Development and characterization of novel asphalt and concrete mixtures;
  • Performance-based testing and evaluation of road materials;
  • Multiscale modeling approaches for predicting material behavior;
  • Sustainable and recycled materials for pavement construction;
  • Influence of environmental conditions on material performance;
  • Innovative surface treatments and reinforcement strategies for enhanced durability.

We invite researchers and practitioners from academia and industry to submit original research papers, review articles, and case studies that contribute to the understanding and advancement of road materials and pavement technologies. Together, we can pave the way to safer and more sustainable transportation infrastructure.

Dr. Yiqing Dai
Dr. Jiwang Jiang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 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

  • road materials
  • asphalt concrete
  • pavement structure
  • characterization and modeling

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 4718 KB  
Article
Optimum Mix Design and Correlation Analysis of Pervious Concrete
by Fenting Lu, Li Yang and Yaqing Jiang
Materials 2025, 18(17), 4129; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18174129 - 2 Sep 2025
Viewed by 329
Abstract
Pervious concrete is challenged by the inherent trade-off between permeability and mechanical strength. This study presents a systematic optimization of its mix design to achieve a balance between these properties. Single-factor experiments and an L9(33) orthogonal array test were [...] Read more.
Pervious concrete is challenged by the inherent trade-off between permeability and mechanical strength. This study presents a systematic optimization of its mix design to achieve a balance between these properties. Single-factor experiments and an L9(33) orthogonal array test were employed to evaluate the effects of target porosity (14–26%), water–cement ratio (0.26–0.34), sand rate (0–10%), and VMA dosage (0–0.02%). Additionally, Spearman rank correlation analysis and nonlinear regression fitting were utilized to develop quantitative relationships correlating the measured porosity to material performance. The results revealed that increasing target porosity enhances permeability but reduces compressive and splitting tensile strengths. The optimal water-to-cement ratio (w/c) was found to be 0.32, balancing both permeability and strength. An appropriate sand content of 6% improved mechanical properties, while a VMA dosage of 0.01% effectively enhanced bonding strength and workability. The orthogonal experiment identified the optimal mix ratio as a w/c ratio of 0.3, VMA dosage of 0.12%, target porosity of 14%, and sand content of 7%, achieving a compressive strength at 28-days of 43.5 MPa and a permeability coefficient of 2.57 mm·s−1. Empirical relationships for the permeability coefficient and mechanical properties as functions of the measured porosity were derived, demonstrating a positive exponential correlation between the measured porosity and the permeability coefficient, and a negative correlation with compressive and splitting tensile strengths. This research provides a systematic framework for designing high-performance pervious concrete with balanced permeability and mechanical properties, offering valuable insights for its development and application in green infrastructure projects. Full article
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16 pages, 2504 KB  
Article
Thermal Field and High-Temperature Performance of Epoxy Resin System Steel Bridge Deck Pavement
by Rui Mao, Xingyu Gu, Jiwang Jiang, Zhu Zhang and Kaiwen Lei
Materials 2025, 18(13), 3109; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18133109 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 402
Abstract
Epoxy Resin System (ERS) steel bridge pavement, which comprises a resin asphalt (RA) base layer and a modified asphalt wearing course, offers cost efficiency and rapid installation. However, the combined effects of traffic loads and environmental conditions pose significant challenges, requiring greater high-temperature [...] Read more.
Epoxy Resin System (ERS) steel bridge pavement, which comprises a resin asphalt (RA) base layer and a modified asphalt wearing course, offers cost efficiency and rapid installation. However, the combined effects of traffic loads and environmental conditions pose significant challenges, requiring greater high-temperature stability than conventional pavements. The thermal sensitivity of resin materials and the use of conventional asphalt mixtures may weaken deformation resistance under elevated temperature conditions. This study investigates the thermal field distribution and high-temperature performance of ERS pavements under extreme conditions and explores temperature reduction strategies. A three-dimensional thermal field model developed using finite element analysis software analyzes interactions between the steel box girder and pavement layers. Based on simulation results, wheel tracking and dynamic creep tests confirm the superior performance of the RA05 mixture, with dynamic stability reaching 23,318 cycles/mm at 70 °C and a 2.1-fold improvement in rutting resistance in Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA)-13 + RA05 composites. Model-driven optimization identifies that enhancing internal airflow within the steel box girder is possible without compromising its structural integrity. The cooling effect is particularly significant when the internal airflow aligns with ambient wind speeds (open-girder configuration). Surface peak temperatures can be reduced by up to 20 °C and high-temperature durations can be shortened by 3–7 h. Full article
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