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22 pages, 3743 KiB  
Article
Mechanical and Performance Characteristics of Warm Mix Asphalt Modified with Phase Change Materials and Recycled Cigarette Filters
by Zahraa Ahmed al-Mammori, Israa Mohsin Kadhim Al-Janabi, Ghadeer H. Abbas, Doaa Hazim Aziz, Fatin H. Alaaraji, Elaf Salam Abbas, Beshaer M. AL-shimmery, Tameem Mohammed Hashim, Ghanim Q. Al-Jameel, Ali Shubbar and Mohammed Salah Nasr
CivilEng 2025, 6(3), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/civileng6030041 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
With rising global temperatures and increasing sustainability demands, the need for advanced pavement solutions has never been greater. This study breaks new ground by integrating phase change materials (PCMs), including paraffin-based wax (Rubitherm RT55), hydrated salt (Climator Salt S10), and fatty acid (lauric [...] Read more.
With rising global temperatures and increasing sustainability demands, the need for advanced pavement solutions has never been greater. This study breaks new ground by integrating phase change materials (PCMs), including paraffin-based wax (Rubitherm RT55), hydrated salt (Climator Salt S10), and fatty acid (lauric acid), as binder modifiers within warm mix asphalt (WMA) mixtures. Moving beyond the traditional focus on binder-only modifications, this research utilizes recycled cigarette filters (CFs) as a dual-purpose fiber additive, directly reinforcing the asphalt mixture while simultaneously transforming a major urban waste stream into valuable infrastructure. The performance of the developed WMA mixture has been evaluated in terms of stiffness behavior using an Indirect Tensile Strength Modulus (ITSM) test, permanent deformation using a static creep strain test, and rutting resistance using the Hamburg wheel-track test. Laboratory tests demonstrated that the incorporation of PCMs and recycled CFs into WMA mixtures led to remarkable improvements in stiffness, deformation resistance, and rutting performance. Modified mixes consistently outperformed the control, achieving up to 15% higher stiffness after 7 days of curing, 36% lower creep strain after 4000 s, and 64% reduction in rut depth at 20,000 passes. Cost–benefit analysis and service life prediction show that, despite costing USD 0.71 more per square meter with 5 cm thickness, the modified WMA mixture delivers much greater durability and rutting resistance, extending service life to 19–29 years compared to 10–15 years for the control. This highlights the value of these modifications for durable, sustainable pavements. Full article
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17 pages, 2459 KiB  
Article
Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Rubberized Warm-Mix Asphalt Pavements: A Cradle-to-Gate Plus Maintenance Approach
by Ana María Rodríguez-Alloza and Daniel Garraín
Coatings 2025, 15(8), 899; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15080899 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 173
Abstract
In response to the escalating climate crisis, reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) has become a top priority for both the public and private sectors. The pavement industry plays a key role in this transition, offering innovative technologies that minimize environmental impacts without compromising [...] Read more.
In response to the escalating climate crisis, reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) has become a top priority for both the public and private sectors. The pavement industry plays a key role in this transition, offering innovative technologies that minimize environmental impacts without compromising performance. Among these, the incorporation of recycled tire rubber and warm-mix asphalt (WMA) additives represents a promising strategy to reduce energy consumption and resource depletion in road construction. This study conducts a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of an asphalt pavement incorporating recycled rubber and a WMA additive—referred to as R-W asphalt—against a conventional hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavement. The analysis follows the ISO 14040/44 standards, covering material production, transport, construction, and maintenance. Two service-life scenarios are considered: one assuming equivalent durability and another with a five-year extension for the R-W pavement. The results demonstrate environmental impact reductions of up to 57%, with average savings ranging from 32% to 52% across key impact categories such as climate change, land use, and resource use. These benefits are primarily attributed to lower production temperatures and extended maintenance intervals. The findings underscore the potential of R-W asphalt as a cleaner engineering solution aligned with circular economy principles and climate mitigation goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Protection of Pavements: New Perspectives and Applications)
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24 pages, 6378 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Ensemble Machine Learning Methods for Alumina Concentration Prediction
by Xiang Xia, Xiangquan Li, Yanhong Wang and Jianheng Li
Processes 2025, 13(8), 2365; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082365 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 310
Abstract
In the aluminum electrolysis production process, the traditional cell control method based on cell voltage and series current can no longer meet the goals of energy conservation, consumption reduction, and digital-intelligent transformation. Therefore, a new digital cell control technology that is centrally dependent [...] Read more.
In the aluminum electrolysis production process, the traditional cell control method based on cell voltage and series current can no longer meet the goals of energy conservation, consumption reduction, and digital-intelligent transformation. Therefore, a new digital cell control technology that is centrally dependent on various process parameters has become an urgent demand in the aluminum electrolysis industry. Among them, the real-time online measurement of alumina concentration is one of the key data points for implementing such technology. However, due to the harsh production environment and limitations of current sensor technologies, hardware-based detection of alumina concentration is difficult to achieve. To address this issue, this study proposes a soft-sensing model for alumina concentration based on a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network optimized by a weighted average algorithm (WAA). The proposed method outperforms BiLSTM, CNN-LSTM, CNN-BiLSTM, CNN-LSTM-Attention, and CNN-BiLSTM-Attention models in terms of predictive accuracy. In comparison to LSTM models optimized using the Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO), Optuna, Tornado Optimization Algorithm (TOC), and Whale Migration Algorithm (WMA), the WAA-enhanced LSTM model consistently achieves significantly better performance. This superiority is evidenced by lower MAE and RMSE values, along with higher R2 and accuracy scores. The WAA-LSTM model remains stable throughout the training process and achieves the lowest final loss, further confirming the accuracy and superiority of the proposed approach. Full article
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22 pages, 9661 KiB  
Article
Regional Groundwater Flow and Advective Contaminant Transport Modeling in a Typical Hydrogeological Environment of Northern New Jersey
by Toritseju Oyen and Duke Ophori
Hydrology 2025, 12(7), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology12070167 - 27 Jun 2025
Viewed by 509
Abstract
This study develops a numerical model to simulate groundwater flow and contaminant transport in a “typical hydrogeological environment” of northern New Jersey, addressing freshwater decline. Focusing on the Lower Passaic water management area (WMA), we model chloride transport in a fractured-rock aquifer, where [...] Read more.
This study develops a numerical model to simulate groundwater flow and contaminant transport in a “typical hydrogeological environment” of northern New Jersey, addressing freshwater decline. Focusing on the Lower Passaic water management area (WMA), we model chloride transport in a fractured-rock aquifer, where fracture networks control hydraulic conductivity and porosity. The urbanized setting—encompassing Montclair State University (MSU) and municipal wells—features heterogeneous groundwater systems and critical water resources, providing an ideal case study for worst-case contaminant transport scenarios. Using MODFLOW and MODPATH, we simulated flow and tracked particles over 20 years. Results show that chloride from MSU reached the Third River in 4 years and the Passaic River in 10 years in low-porosity fractures (0.2), with longer times (8 and 20 years) in high-porosity zones (0.4). The First Watchung Mountains were identified as the primary recharge area. Chloride was retained in immobile pores but transported rapidly through fractures, with local flow systems (MSU to Third River) faster than regional systems (MSU to Passaic River). These findings confirm chloride in groundwater, which may originate from road salt application, can reach discharge points in 4–20 years, emphasizing the need for recharge-area monitoring, salt-reduction policies, and site-specific assessments to protect fractured-rock aquifers. Full article
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23 pages, 3371 KiB  
Article
Life Cycle Assessment and Performance Evaluation of Self-Compacting Concrete Incorporating Waste Marble Powder and Aggregates
by Masoud Ahmadi, Erfan Abdollahzadeh, Mohammad Kashfi, Behnoosh Khataei and Marzie Razavi
Materials 2025, 18(13), 2982; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18132982 - 24 Jun 2025
Viewed by 495
Abstract
This study systematically investigates the utilization of marble industry waste—waste marble powder (WMP) as partial cement replacement and waste marble aggregates (WMA) as partial fine aggregate replacement—in self-compacting concrete (SCC). A detailed experimental program evaluated the effects of various replacement levels (5%, 10%, [...] Read more.
This study systematically investigates the utilization of marble industry waste—waste marble powder (WMP) as partial cement replacement and waste marble aggregates (WMA) as partial fine aggregate replacement—in self-compacting concrete (SCC). A detailed experimental program evaluated the effects of various replacement levels (5%, 10%, and 20% for WMP; 20%, 30%, and 40% for WMA) on compressive strength and durability, particularly resistance to aggressive sulfuric acid environments. Results indicated that a 5% WMP replacement increased compressive strength by 4.9%, attributed primarily to the filler effect, whereas higher levels (10–20%) led to strength reductions due to limited pozzolanic activity and cement dilution. In contrast, WMA replacement consistently enhanced strength (maximum increase of 11.5% at 30% substitution) due to improved particle packing and aggregate-paste interface densification. Durability tests revealed significantly reduced compressive strength losses and mass loss in marble-containing mixtures compared to control samples, with optimal acid resistance observed at 20% WMP and 40% WMA replacements. A comprehensive life cycle assessment demonstrated notable reductions in environmental impacts, including up to 20% decreases in Global Warming Potential (GWP) at 20% WMP replacement. A desirability-based eco-cost-mechanical optimization—simultaneously integrating mechanical strength, environmental indicators, and production cost—identified the 10% WMP substitution mix as the most sustainable option, achieving optimal balance among key performance criteria. These findings underscore the significant potential for marble waste reuse in SCC, promoting environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, and improved concrete durability in chemically aggressive environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Construction and Building Materials)
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24 pages, 3885 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Available Freshwater Resources in Watersheds Across Northern New Jersey
by Toritseju Oyen and Duke Ophori
Hydrology 2025, 12(6), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology12060149 - 12 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1159
Abstract
Groundwater is a critical freshwater resource, yet its quality is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities, particularly in urbanized regions. This study employs geospatial analysis to evaluate the spatiotemporal variability of groundwater quality across 11 Watershed Management Areas (WMAs) in northern New Jersey, from [...] Read more.
Groundwater is a critical freshwater resource, yet its quality is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities, particularly in urbanized regions. This study employs geospatial analysis to evaluate the spatiotemporal variability of groundwater quality across 11 Watershed Management Areas (WMAs) in northern New Jersey, from 1999 to 2016. Using specific conductance (SC) as a proxy for salinity, we applied Ordinary Kriging interpolation to estimate SC values in unmonitored locations, leveraging data from 295 shallow wells within the New Jersey Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring Network. The results reveal significant spatial heterogeneity in groundwater quality, strongly associated with land use and road density. The Northeast water region, characterized by high urbanization and extensive road networks, exhibited the poorest water quality, with salinity levels exceeding the 750 μS/cm threshold for freshwater in WMAs such as Lower Passaic (WMA-4) and Hackensack (WMA-5). In contrast, the Northwest region, dominated by agricultural and undeveloped land, maintained better water quality. Temporal analysis showed a worrying decline in freshwater coverage, from 80% in 1999–2004 to 74% in 2014–2016, with deicing salts and aging sewer infrastructure identified as major contamination sources. The study highlights the efficacy of Kriging and GIS tools in mapping groundwater quality trends and highlights the urgent need for targeted water management strategies in vulnerable regions. These findings provide policymakers and stakeholders with actionable insights to mitigate groundwater degradation and ensure long-term freshwater sustainability in northern New Jersey. Full article
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24 pages, 8192 KiB  
Article
Mapping the Relationship Between Diffusion Characteristics of Warm-Mix Recycled Asphalt on Molecular Dynamics (MD) and High-Low Temperature Properties of Mixtures
by Xin Jin, Shanshan Meng, Haoxuan Fu, Qi Zhao, Deli Li, Zhuolin Li, Ye Yang, Yanhai Yang, Jiupeng Zhang and Qingyue Zhou
Materials 2025, 18(12), 2740; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18122740 - 11 Jun 2025
Viewed by 354
Abstract
Warm-mix recycled asphalt (WMA-R) technology for reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) significantly reduces energy consumption and environmental pollution while maintaining the performance of asphalt mixtures. Significant progress has been made at home and abroad in evaluating the impact of regenerated asphalt mixtures on the [...] Read more.
Warm-mix recycled asphalt (WMA-R) technology for reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) significantly reduces energy consumption and environmental pollution while maintaining the performance of asphalt mixtures. Significant progress has been made at home and abroad in evaluating the impact of regenerated asphalt mixtures on the performance of regenerated asphalt. However, the performance improvement of WMA-R depends on the effective diffusion of regenerated agents and their interaction mechanism with aged asphalt, which has not been fully studied. This paper systematically studies the diffusion characteristics of biomimetic-based warm-mix regenerant in aged asphalt and its impact on the high- and low-temperature performance of asphalt mixtures through MD and experimental verification. The results show that biomimetic-based warm-mix regenerant can significantly improve the diffusion performance of aged asphalt. Through the rutting test and low-temperature bending test, the significant improvement of the biomimetic-based warm-mix regenerant in the rutting resistance and crack resistance of asphalt mixtures was verified. Full article
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15 pages, 2450 KiB  
Article
Study on High Efficiency Control of Four-Switch Buck-Boost Converter Based on Whale Migration Optimization Algorithm
by Zhencheng Hao, Yu Xu and Jing Bai
Energies 2025, 18(11), 2807; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18112807 - 28 May 2025
Viewed by 375
Abstract
With the growing demand for high-efficiency DC-DC converters with a wide input voltage range for wireless power transmission, four-switch boost converters (FSBBs) are attracting attention due to their low current stress and flexible mode switching characteristics. However, their complex operating modes and nonlinear [...] Read more.
With the growing demand for high-efficiency DC-DC converters with a wide input voltage range for wireless power transmission, four-switch boost converters (FSBBs) are attracting attention due to their low current stress and flexible mode switching characteristics. However, their complex operating modes and nonlinear dynamic characteristics lead to high switching losses and limited efficiency of the system under conventional control. In this paper, an optimization algorithm is combined with the multi-mode control of an FSBB converter for the first time, and a combined optimization and voltage closed-loop control strategy based on the Whale Migration Algorithm (WMA) is proposed. Under the four-mode operation conditions of the FSBB converter, the duty cycle and phase shift parameters of the switching devices are dynamically adjusted by optimizing the values to maximize the efficiency under different operation conditions, with the premise of achieving zero-voltage switching (ZVS) and the optimization objective of minimizing the inductor current as much as possible. Simulation results show that the proposed FSBB switching control strategy combined with the WMA algorithm improves the efficiency significantly over a wide voltage range (120–480 V) and under variable load conditions, and the transfer efficiency is improved by about 1.19% compared with that of the traditional three-mode control, and the maximum transfer efficiency is 99.34%, which verifies the validity and feasibility of the proposed strategy and provides a new approach to the high-efficiency control and application of FSBB converters. Full article
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25 pages, 9333 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Water Use and Trends in South Africa: A Case Study for the Mzimvubu to Tsitsikamma Water Management Area 7 (WMA7)
by Lawrence Mulangaphuma and Nebo Jovanovic
Water 2025, 17(10), 1522; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17101522 - 18 May 2025
Viewed by 993
Abstract
This paper investigated sectoral water use and trends in the Mzimvubu to Tsitsikamma Water Management Area 7 (WMA7). The investigation considered the Water Authorisation and Registration Management System (WARMS) database and field surveys as a source of water use information. The study was [...] Read more.
This paper investigated sectoral water use and trends in the Mzimvubu to Tsitsikamma Water Management Area 7 (WMA7). The investigation considered the Water Authorisation and Registration Management System (WARMS) database and field surveys as a source of water use information. The study was able to successfully make use of time series statistical analysis to show water use trends for identified priority sectors over a 5-year period by sourcing historical water use data of the study area. Further, the groundwater stress index and streamflow impact were applied to assess water use impacts on the surface and groundwater. The WARMS database and field survey results identified major sectoral water users such as agriculture (irrigation), municipal water services, dam storage, afforestation, power generation, recreation, mining, and industries. Study findings revealed that the agricultural sector is a major water user, with an estimated 60% of the total water requirement over a 5-year period (2018 to 2022). The application of the groundwater stress index revealed that the majority of the Quaternary catchments have surplus groundwater available. The application of streamflow impact revealed that the majority of catchments have low flow or no flow. The rise of water use clearly indicates a lack of water use compliance and enforcement. An increase in total water use could put water resources under stress, including an impact on the aquatic ecosystem, reduced water quality, and economic and social consequences. Therefore, the study recommends that a follow-up on compliance of surface water and groundwater use licenses be regularly conducted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Use and Scarcity)
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22 pages, 1268 KiB  
Article
Wardrobe Management Apps and Their Unintended Benefits for Fashion Sustainability and Well-Being: Insights from User Reviews
by Gigi Jiang and Lisa Macintyre
Sustainability 2025, 17(9), 4159; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17094159 - 4 May 2025
Viewed by 2030
Abstract
Global clothing production and waste continues to increase while garment utilisation is decreasing. Many consumers wear only a fraction of the clothing they own, often forgetting or overlooking items already in their wardrobes. This disconnection from existing garments encourages unnecessary purchases and contributes [...] Read more.
Global clothing production and waste continues to increase while garment utilisation is decreasing. Many consumers wear only a fraction of the clothing they own, often forgetting or overlooking items already in their wardrobes. This disconnection from existing garments encourages unnecessary purchases and contributes to the environmental and psychological burden of fashion overconsumption. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of wardrobe management apps (WMAs) and their potential for reducing fashion overconsumption. This paper has two core aims: first, to assess how WMAs contribute to sustainability through organisation, extended use, and behavioural change, and second, to examine their emotional and practical benefits for users. A content analysis of 27 WMAs was conducted alongside a thematic analysis of all 5953 user reviews from Apple and Google Play stores. Our analysis showed that 470 users reported behavioural shifts related to reduced overconsumption and increased garment utilisation, while a further 210 users described psychological benefits such as improved mental clarity and reduced anxiety. These results demonstrate the potential of WMAs to support more sustainable fashion habits and enhanced consumer well-being, offering a digital means to promote responsible consumption and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 12. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Technologies Toward Sustainable Eco-Friendly Industry)
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17 pages, 28066 KiB  
Article
Performance Evaluation of Warm-Mix Asphalt Binders with an Emphasis on Rutting and Intermediate-Temperature Cracking Resistance
by Jiangbo Pang, Yu Chen, Longfei Jing, Haoran Song and Ziyang Liu
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1571; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071571 - 30 Mar 2025
Viewed by 499
Abstract
Warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technology is gaining popularity worldwide due to its benefits of considerable emissions reduction and energy savings when compared with hot-mix asphalt (HMA). Currently, there is a wide range of WMA products with considerable variability in the corresponding pavement performances. It [...] Read more.
Warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technology is gaining popularity worldwide due to its benefits of considerable emissions reduction and energy savings when compared with hot-mix asphalt (HMA). Currently, there is a wide range of WMA products with considerable variability in the corresponding pavement performances. It has also been difficult to reach a unified conclusion regarding the effects of various WMA additives on asphalt binder properties. In this study, two categories of warm-mix additives, including six organic additives and three chemical additives, were evaluated in terms of their effects on asphalt binder properties, with a focus on rutting and intermediate-temperature cracking. It was found that the viscosity-reducing effect of organic additives was more significant in comparison to chemical additives. In addition, the binders modified with the organic additives obtained enhanced rutting resistance at high temperatures but compromised cracking resistance at intermediate temperatures, as shown by the increasing complex modulus (G*) and non-recoverable creep compliance (Jnr) and decreasing binder fracture energy (BFE). Meanwhile, the very limited effect of chemical additives on rutting resistance was observed while the cracking resistance was slightly improved. The findings will assist in the selection and application of WMA additives for the production of asphalt mixture. Full article
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21 pages, 5339 KiB  
Article
Contribution of Oxygen and Ultraviolet Light to the Adhesion Properties of Warm Mix Asphalt During the Light-Oxidative Coupling Ultraviolet Aging Process
by Jianbing Ma, Bo Li, Yongning Wang, Xiaomin Li, Dongna Li, Xiaoyu Ren and Mingxing Fu
Materials 2025, 18(6), 1345; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18061345 - 18 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 400
Abstract
Objective: We investigated the contribution of oxygen and UV light to the UV aging process of warm mix asphalt (WMA). Methods: In this paper, warm mix asphalt was prepared with different aging methods (RTFOT, PAV and UV) and UV aging times (50 h, [...] Read more.
Objective: We investigated the contribution of oxygen and UV light to the UV aging process of warm mix asphalt (WMA). Methods: In this paper, warm mix asphalt was prepared with different aging methods (RTFOT, PAV and UV) and UV aging times (50 h, 100 h, 150 h and 200 h). The cohesion and bonding functions of WMA were tested using surface free energy theory. In addition, the UV aging functional groups of WMA were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). On this basis, the contribution of oxygen and ultraviolet light to the UV aging of WMA was analyzed using the random forest model. Results and conclusions: The results showed that UV aging had the greatest effect on the adhesion property index and functional group index of WMA, followed by PAV aging, and RTFOT aging had the least effect. With the extension of UV aging time, the adhesion and cohesion functions of WMA showed a decreasing trend, while the carbonyl index and sulfoxide index showed an increasing trend. When the UV aging time exceeded 150 h, the adhesion function and functional group index of WMA gradually tended to stabilize. The effect of UV aging on the adhesive properties of WMA was mainly due to adhesive damage. There were significant differences in the effects of oxygen isolation and light–oxygen-coupled UV aging on the adhesive properties and functional group index of WMA. In the light–oxygen-coupled UV aging of warm mix asphalt, the contribution of UV radiation was 79.9%, and the contribution of oxygen was 20.1%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development of Sustainable Asphalt Materials)
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16 pages, 4833 KiB  
Article
Collaborative Forecasting of Multiple Energy Loads in Integrated Energy Systems Based on Feature Extraction and Deep Learning
by Zhe Wang, Jiali Duan, Fengzhang Luo and Xiaoyu Qiu
Energies 2025, 18(5), 1048; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18051048 - 21 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 488
Abstract
Accurate load forecasting is crucial for the safe, stable, and economical operation of integrated energy systems. However, directly applying single models to predict coupled cooling, heating, and electric loads under complex influencing factors often yields unsatisfactory results. This paper proposes a collaborative load [...] Read more.
Accurate load forecasting is crucial for the safe, stable, and economical operation of integrated energy systems. However, directly applying single models to predict coupled cooling, heating, and electric loads under complex influencing factors often yields unsatisfactory results. This paper proposes a collaborative load forecasting method based on feature extraction and deep learning. First, the complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise algorithm decomposes load data, and a dynamic time warping-based k-medoids clustering algorithm reconstructs subsequences aligned with system load components. Second, a correlation analysis identifies the key influencing factors for model input. Then, a multi-task parallel learning framework combining a regression convolutional neural network and long short-term memory networks is developed to predict reconstructed subsequences. Case studies demonstrate that the proposed model achieves mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE) of 2.24%, 2.75%, and 1.69% for electricity, cooling, and heating loads on summer workdays, with mean accuracy (MA) values of 97.76%, 97.25%, and 98.31%, respectively. For winter workdays, the MAPE values are 2.92%, 1.66%, and 2.87%, with MA values of 97.08%, 98.34%, and 97.13%. Compared to traditional single-task models, the weighted mean accuracy (WMA) improves by 2.01% and 2.33% in summer and winter, respectively, validating its superiority. This method provides a high-precision tool for the planning and operation of integrated energy systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Power and Energy Systems)
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28 pages, 6455 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Bitumen Performance in Warm Mix Asphalt Using Cecabase RT BIO10: A Taguchi-Based Experimental Approach
by Mustafa Çakı and Fatih İrfan Baş
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 1761; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15041761 - 9 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1652
Abstract
Flexible pavements stand out as the most commonly used worldwide, compared to rigid and composite pavements, owing to their versatility and widespread application. The use of hot mix asphalt (HMA) in flexible pavements causes significant environmental concerns due to high CO2 emissions [...] Read more.
Flexible pavements stand out as the most commonly used worldwide, compared to rigid and composite pavements, owing to their versatility and widespread application. The use of hot mix asphalt (HMA) in flexible pavements causes significant environmental concerns due to high CO2 emissions and energy consumption, whereas warm mix asphalt (WMA) technologies have gained popularity in recent decades, offering a more sustainable alternative by enabling asphalt production at lower temperatures. WMA technologies can be categorized into three main groups: foaming, organic additives, and chemical additives, with each offering distinct benefits for performance and environmental impact. One of the chemical additives used in WMA production is Cecabase RT BIO10. In this study, virgin bitumen with 50/70 penetration was modified by adding Cecabase RT BIO10 at four levels: 0%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5% by weight. The experimental design employed a Taguchi L16 orthogonal array to systematically evaluate the effects of various factors on modified bitumen performance. Binders were prepared at four temperatures (110 °C, 120 °C, 130 °C, and 140 °C), four mixing durations (15, 20, 25, and 30 min), and four mixing speeds (1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 rpm), enabling an efficient analysis of each parameter’s impact. The prepared binders were subjected to a series of tests, including penetration, softening point, flash point, rotational thin film oven test (RTFOT), elastic recovery, Marshall stability, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and FTIR analysis. These tests were conducted to investigate the effects of various parameters and levels on the binder properties. Additionally, stiffness and seismic modules were evaluated to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the binder’s performance. The experiment results revealed that the penetration, elastic recovery percentage, and Marshall stability increased with increasing additive content while the softening point and RTFOT mass loss decreased. At a high service temperature of 40 °C, the stiffness modulus of the modified bitumen decreased slightly. At a low service temperature of −10 °C, it decreased further. Additionally, the incorporation of Cecabase RT BIO10 led to an increase in the seismic modulus. Through optimization using the Taguchi method, the optimal levels were determined to be a 0.4% Cecabase RT BIO10 ratio, 140 °C mixing temperature, 30 min mixing time, and 1000 RPM mixing speed. The optimal responses for each test were identified and integrated into a unified optimal response, resulting in a comprehensive design guide with 95% confidence level estimates for all possible level combinations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Civil Engineering)
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24 pages, 7247 KiB  
Article
Molecular Dynamics Investigation of the Diffusion Mechanisms and Thermodynamic Behaviors in Warm Mix Recycled Asphalt Binders with and Without Rejuvenators
by Qisheng Hu, Derun Zhang and Peixin Xu
Materials 2025, 18(3), 703; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030703 - 5 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1062
Abstract
In recent years, the employment of rejuvenators and warm mix asphalt (WMA) additives for reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has been recognized as a popular approach to increase the recycling rate of waste materials and promote the sustainable development of pavement engineering. However, the [...] Read more.
In recent years, the employment of rejuvenators and warm mix asphalt (WMA) additives for reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has been recognized as a popular approach to increase the recycling rate of waste materials and promote the sustainable development of pavement engineering. However, the composition of warm mix recycled asphalt binder is complicated, and the microstructural changes brought about by the rejuvenators and WMA additives are critical in determining its macroscopic mechanical properties. This research focuses on the atomic modeling of the rejuvenators and WMA additives diffusion behavior of the warm mix recycled asphalt binder. The objective is to reveal the thermodynamic performance and diffusion mechanism of the WMA binder under the dual presence of rejuvenators and WMA additives. Three types of mutual diffusion systems (Aged and oil + virgin + wax, Aged + virgin + wax, and Aged and oil + virgin) were established, respectively, for a comparative investigation of the glass transition temperature, viscosity, thermodynamics, free volume, and diffusion behavior. The results indicate a 44.27% and 31.33% decrease in the glass transition temperature and apparent viscosity, respectively, after the incorporation of 5% oil rejuvenators in the Aged + virgin + wax asphalt binder, demonstrating the improved cracking resistance and construction workability. The presence of the RAP binder and organic WMA additives raised the cohesion of the asphalt binder and decreased self-healing ability and free volume, and these detrimental influences can be offset by the introduction of rejuvenators. The combined use of rejuvenators and organic WMA additives remarkably enhanced the de-agglomeration to asphaltenes, stimulated the activity of aged RAP macromolecular components, and ultimately improved the blending efficiency of virgin binders with the overall structure of RAP binders. Full article
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