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Revolutionizing Road Infrastructure: A Nexus of Bioengineering, Waste Valorization, and Intelligent Systems

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Prof. Dr. Nader Nciri

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Guest Editor

1. School of Energy, Materials, & Chemical Engineering, Korea University of Technology & Education, Cheonan 31253, Republic of Korea
2. School of Industrial Design & Architectural Engineering, Korea University of Technology & Education, Chungnam 31253, Republic of Korea
3. Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
4. Department of Agri-Food Industries, National Institute of Agronomy of Tunisia (INAT), University of Carthage, Tunis 1082, Tunisia
Interests: sustainable infrastructure; waste management in construction; bio-based materials for road construction; smart technologies in civil engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, entitled "Revolutionizing Road Infrastructure: A Nexus of Bioengineering, Waste Valorization, and Intelligent Systems" is conceived at the confluence of advanced sustainable materials science, innovative waste management strategies, and the transformative potential of smart technologies in civil engineering. It aims to herald a paradigm shift in how road infrastructure is conceptualized, designed, and maintained, steering the global discourse towards more resilient, environmentally benign, and technologically integrated pathways.

The thematic core of this issue lies in transcending traditional approaches to road construction by harnessing the untapped potential of bio-based materials, converting multidisciplinary waste streams into valuable construction resources, and leveraging artificial intelligence, IoT, and machine learning to optimize construction processes, maintenance, and lifecycle management of roadways. It aspires to redefine the ecosystem of road infrastructure development through a lens of sustainability, pushing the boundaries of current research into uncharted territories where the principles of green chemistry, the circular economy, and digital innovation intersect.

By curating a collection of empirical research, case studies, and review articles, this Special Issue will illuminate the complexities and opportunities at the nexus of environmental stewardship and technological advancement in road construction. It aims to enrich the existing corpus of sustainability literature by providing actionable insights and forward-looking perspectives that encapsulate the multifaceted challenges and solutions inherent in crafting the next generation of road infrastructures.

Prof. Dr. Nader Nciri
Guest Editor

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Keywords

sustainable road infrastructure
innovative construction materials
bio-asphalt and bio-additives
waste material recycling in construction
smart technologies in road construction
artificial intelligence and the internet of things in infrastructure
energy efficiency and conservation
greenhouse gas reduction
zero waste construction
analytical and simulation techniques in roadway design

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29 pages, 4818 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Bin to Binder: Unleashing Waste Butter’s Potential as a Pioneering Bio-Modifier for Sustainable Asphalt Engineering

by Nader Nciri and Namho Kim

Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4774; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114774 - 4 Jun 2024

Viewed by 412

Abstract

Exploring the interface of environmental sustainability and civil infrastructure development, this study introduces waste butter (WB), a byproduct of animal fat processing, as a novel bio-modifier in asphalt production. This approach not only recycles animal waste but also charts a course for sustainable infrastructural development, contributing to a reduced environmental impact and promoting circular economy practices. The experiments incorporated varying WB concentrations (e.g., 3%, 6%, and 9% by weight of binder) into standard AP-5 asphalt, employing advanced analytical tools for comprehensive characterization. These included thin-layer chromatography–flame ionization detection (TLC-FID), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The critical properties of the asphalt blends, such as penetration, softening point, viscosity, ductility, rutting factor (Dynamic Shear Rheometer), and thermal susceptibility (Penetration Index, Penetration–Viscosity Number), were assessed. FT-IR analysis indicated negligible chemical alteration with WB addition, suggesting predominantly physical interactions. TLC-FID showed a decrease in aromatic and asphaltene components but an increase in resin content, highlighting the influence of WB’s fatty acids on the asphalt’s chemical balance. The colloidal instability index (I_C) confirmed enhanced stability due to WB’s high resin concentration. Meanwhile, SEM analysis revealed microstructural improvements with WB, enhancing binder compatibility. TGA demonstrated that even a minimal 3 wt. % WB addition significantly improved thermal stability, while the DSC results pointed to improved low-temperature performance, reducing brittleness in cold conditions. Rheologically, WB incorporation resulted in increased penetration and ductility, balanced by decreased viscosity and softening point, thereby demonstrating its multi-faceted utility. Thermal susceptibility tests emphasized WB’s effectiveness in cold environments, with further evaluation needed at higher temperatures. The DSR findings necessitate careful WB calibration to meet Superpave rutting standards. In conclusion, this research positions waste butter as a superior, environmentally aligned bio-additive for asphalt blends, contributing significantly to eco-friendly civil engineering practices by repurposing animal-derived waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Revolutionizing Road Infrastructure: A Nexus of Bioengineering, Waste Valorization, and Intelligent Systems)

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Revolutionizing Road Infrastructure: A Nexus of Bioengineering, Waste Valorization, and Intelligent Systems

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