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Advances in Road Materials and Pavement Design
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Advances in Road Materials and Pavement Design

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 4814

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Baofeng Pan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Infrastructure Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116024, China
Interests: functional modification of building materials; functional conversion and utilization of solid wastes; finite element calculation of infrastructure structures; damage mechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Peng Yin

E-Mail
Guest Editor Assistant
School of Infrastructure Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
Interests: functional modification of asphalt materials; interfacial adhesion mechanism of asphalt mixtures; regeneration mechanism of new-old asphalt interfaces; resource utilization of solid waste

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Road infrastructure is a crucial component of modern society, supporting the smooth functioning of economic, social, and cultural activities. With the rapid acceleration of global urbanization, there is an increasing demand for high-performance, sustainable, and cost-effective road materials and pavement designs. In this context, the development of advanced materials and innovative design methods has become particularly urgent. Traditional road construction methods face significant pressure in addressing challenges such as worsening climate change, increasing traffic loads, and growing concerns about sustainability. As a result, the development of new technologies and materials that can extend the lifespan of roads, enhance performance, and reduce environmental impact has become an urgent task. This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest research findings and technological advancements in the field of road materials and pavement engineering. The focus of this Special Issue will be on innovative materials, advanced testing methods, and new pavement design technologies, all of which will improve road performance and reduce environmental impact. The topics should cover, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Advanced road materials;
  • Pavement design innovations;
  • Sustainability and green solutions;
  • Performance and durability;
  • Smart pavements and technology integration.

Prof. Dr. Baofeng Pan
Guest Editor

Dr. Peng Yin
Guest Editor Assistant

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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 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
  • pavement design
  • sustainability
  • durability
  • smart pavement

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 4492 KB  
Article
Development and Performance Evaluation of Geopolymer-Based Fluidized Solidified Soil Using Phosphogypsum and Slag Powder for Road Backfilling
by Xiaojuan Li, Ping Zheng, Honglei Lu, Shiyu Zhu, Haochen Tian and Xiaoping Ji
Materials 2025, 18(23), 5256; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18235256 - 21 Nov 2025
Viewed by 456
Abstract
The large-scale and high-value utilization of industrial solid waste has become a key research area in sustainable building materials. However, ensuring effective backfilling quality in narrow or irregular spaces remains challenging in civil engineering. Developing flowable solidification materials from industrial solid waste not [...] Read more.
The large-scale and high-value utilization of industrial solid waste has become a key research area in sustainable building materials. However, ensuring effective backfilling quality in narrow or irregular spaces remains challenging in civil engineering. Developing flowable solidification materials from industrial solid waste not only resolves issues inherent in traditional backfilling techniques but also enhances efficient resource utilization. In this study, phosphogypsum was used to prepare geopolymers, which served as binders replacing cement in producing phosphogypsum-based fluidized solidified soil (PFSS). The workability, mechanical strength, and toxic substance leaching of PFSS were evaluated. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms of strength formation and toxic substance immobilization were investigated. The optimal PFSS composition was determined to have a water-to-solid ratio of 0.48–0.50 and a geopolymer content of 12–18% (by mass). Under these conditions, the material exhibited fluidity ranging from 160 to 220 mm, a 28-day compressive strength of 0.86 MPa, a California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of 8%, and a resilient modulus of 40 MPa. These parameters satisfy the performance standards required for backfilling in high-grade highways. The leaching concentrations of heavy metals (As, Pb, and Cr) complied with China’s Class III groundwater quality standards. Microstructural analyses indicated the occurrence of hydration, pozzolanic reactions, geopolymerization, and carbonation. Microstructural analyses indicated the formation of an interlocking three-dimensional network, composed of C-S-H, C-A-S-H gels, and ettringite (AFt), which contributes significantly to the strength development and immobilization of heavy metals. These products collectively formed an interlocking three-dimensional network structure, significantly contributing to PFSS strength development. Heavy metals were effectively immobilized within the matrix due to the combined effects of physical adsorption and chemical bonding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Road Materials and Pavement Design)
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15 pages, 3172 KB  
Article
Development of a Novel Modified High-Modulus Asphalt Based on Waste Rubber Powder
by Maowen Li, Chao Pu, Ping Zheng, Waiti Litifu, Zhe Ma and Peng Yin
Materials 2025, 18(18), 4314; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18184314 - 15 Sep 2025
Viewed by 555
Abstract
This study developed a novel waste rubber powder modified high-modulus asphalt based on composite modification technology. The preparation process was determined by orthogonal tests, and the mechanical properties of modified high-modulus asphalt were evaluated through rheological tests in comparison with three common high-modulus [...] Read more.
This study developed a novel waste rubber powder modified high-modulus asphalt based on composite modification technology. The preparation process was determined by orthogonal tests, and the mechanical properties of modified high-modulus asphalt were evaluated through rheological tests in comparison with three common high-modulus asphalts to verify its application potential. The modification mechanism of modified high-modulus asphalt was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy tests. The results show that the recommended mixing ratio of modified high-modulus asphalt is 20% waste rubber, 6% ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and 4% ammonium polyphosphate. Although the high temperature performance, rutting resistance, and fatigue performance of modified high-modulus asphalt are slightly inferior to those of high-modulus asphalts prepared with two polymer modifiers, they are significantly better than those of hard asphalt, and all mechanical properties meet the application requirements of high-modulus asphalt. Compared with other asphalts, modified high-modulus asphalt exhibits the most prominent low temperature performance. The microscopic test results indicate that the modification process of modified high-modulus asphalt is chemical modification with minimal swelling, and no obvious network structure is formed inside. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Road Materials and Pavement Design)
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16 pages, 1852 KB  
Article
Evaluation of Constitutive Models for Low-Temperature Performance of High-Modulus Modified Asphalt: A BBR Test-Based Study
by Chao Pu, Bingbing Lei, Zhiwei Yang and Peng Yin
Materials 2025, 18(17), 3963; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18173963 - 24 Aug 2025
Viewed by 826
Abstract
High-modulus asphalt, with its excellent fatigue resistance and high-temperature resistance, is gradually becoming a preferred material for the development of durable asphalt pavements. However, its poor low-temperature performance has become one of the key bottlenecks restricting its wide application. In recent years, in-depth [...] Read more.
High-modulus asphalt, with its excellent fatigue resistance and high-temperature resistance, is gradually becoming a preferred material for the development of durable asphalt pavements. However, its poor low-temperature performance has become one of the key bottlenecks restricting its wide application. In recent years, in-depth analysis of the mechanism underlying the changes in the low-temperature performance of high-modulus asphalt has gradually become a research focus in the field of asphalt pavements. Accordingly, this study selected four representative high-modulus asphalts, conducted bending beam rheometer (BBR) tests to obtain their low-temperature creep parameters, and used three viscoelastic constitutive models to investigate their low-temperature constitutive relationships. Grey relational analysis (GRA) was further applied to evaluate the models. The results show that, when evaluating the low-temperature performance of high-modulus asphalt, the elastic and viscous parameters variation laws, for the three-parameter solid (TPS) model and four-parameter solid (FPS) model, are not obvious and have large fluctuations, and the accuracy of the fitting curves is relatively low, while the Burgers model has extremely high fitting accuracy, with small parameter fluctuations and significant regularity. The GRA model reveals that the Burgers model is more suitable than the TPS and FPS models for describing the low-temperature creep behavior of high-modulus asphalt, which further confirms the reliability of using the Burgers model to evaluate the low-temperature performance of high-modulus asphalt. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Road Materials and Pavement Design)
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17 pages, 6677 KB  
Article
A Green Electromagnetic Energy Harvester with Up-Frequency and Unidirectional Rotation for Smart Pavement
by Keliang Mou, Xiaoping Ji, Xiaojuan Li, Haoyu Zhou, Yunrui Wu and Yeyang Fang
Materials 2025, 18(4), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18040786 - 11 Feb 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2281
Abstract
Smart pavement is composed of a monitor network, communication network, data center, and energy supply system, and it requires reliable and efficient energy sources to power sensors and devices. The mechanical energy is wasted and dissipated as heat in traditional pavement; this energy [...] Read more.
Smart pavement is composed of a monitor network, communication network, data center, and energy supply system, and it requires reliable and efficient energy sources to power sensors and devices. The mechanical energy is wasted and dissipated as heat in traditional pavement; this energy can be reused to power low-power devices and sensors for smart pavement. Mechanical energy harvesting systems typically perform through electromagnetic, piezoelectric, and triboelectric methods. Among the different methods, electromagnetic harvesters stand out for their higher output power. However, current electromagnetic harvesters face challenges such as bulky designs, low power density, and high input displacement requirements. This study proposed a green electromagnetic harvester (GEH) based on up-frequency and a unidirectional rotation mechanism to harvest mechanical energy from the pavement. A prototype was designed and prepared. The influence of different parameters on the electrical performance of the harvester was studied by using an MTS test instrument and simulation methods. The results demonstrate that increasing the frequency and optimizing the magnetic array significantly enhances electrical output. The open-circuit voltage in the N-S mode is 3.1 times higher than that in the N-N mode. At a frequency of 9 Hz and a displacement of 3.0 mm, the open-circuit voltage of the GEH is 6.73 V, the maximum power output is 171.14 mW, the peak power density is 1277.16 W/m3, and the voltage has almost no decay after 100,000 cycles. Further, the application of the GEH in charging sensors and capacitors was demonstrated, which indicates the potential of a GEH to power sensors for smart roads. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Road Materials and Pavement Design)
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