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Infrastructures
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Advanced Research in Geotechnics for Sustainable Infrastructure Development
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Advanced Research in Geotechnics for Sustainable Infrastructure Development

A special issue of Infrastructures (ISSN 2412-3811).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2024 | Viewed by 3979

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Troyee Dutta

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Guest Editor
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
Interests: geotechnical earthquake engineering; soil dynamics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yang Li

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Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
Interests: geotechnical engineering; granular materials; soil mechanics
Dr. Amir Tophel

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Guest Editor
ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub (ITRH)–SPARC Hub, Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
Interests: civil engineering; geotechnical engineering; transportation engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pavement geotechnics is at the forefront of sustainable infrastructure development, integrating novel design methodologies with a focus on durability, recyclability, and resource efficiency. These innovative approaches prioritize the use of environmentally friendly materials such as recycled aggregates, fly ash, and reclaimed asphalt pavement, reducing carbon footprints and promoting circular economy principles in pavement construction. Moreover, climate-resilient pavement design strategies are essential in mitigating the impact of extreme weather events and changing climate patterns. By developing resilient pavement materials capable of withstanding temperature fluctuations, heavy precipitation, and other environmental stresses, engineers can optimize pavement designs to enhance durability and minimize maintenance requirements, thus contributing to the long-term sustainability of transportation networks.

In addition to these core themes, submissions are welcomed on various pertinent topics within pavement geotechnics for sustainable infrastructure development. These include advancements in smart pavement technologies, such as the integration of sensors and data analytics for performance monitoring and traffic management. Exploration of green infrastructure solution integration, such as permeable pavements and green roofs, for their potential to mitigate urban heat island effects and improve stormwater management is also encouraged. Additionally, discussions on life cycle assessment and cost–benefit analysis methodologies to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of pavement materials and construction practices are sought after. Contributions on innovations in pavement recycling techniques and considerations of community engagement and social equity are encouraged to underscore the importance of equitable access to transportation networks and inclusive decision-making processes. Through this interdisciplinary exchange, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in pavement geotechnics, fostering collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in the pursuit of sustainable infrastructure solutions.

Dr. Troyee Dutta
Dr. Yang Li
Dr. Amir Tophel
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • sustainable pavement design
  • reclaimed asphalt pavement
  • recycled aggregates
  • circular economy
  • climate-resilient pavements
  • smart pavement technologies
  • green infrastructure
  • permeable pavements
  • life cycle assessment

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 5541 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Critical Aspects of Roughness Assessment for Airfield Pavements
by Angeliki Armeni, Christina Plati and Andreas Loizos
Infrastructures 2024, 9(11), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9110203 - 12 Nov 2024
Viewed by 384
Abstract
One of the main priorities of airport authorities is to maintain a high level of serviceability of runway pavements due to the high safety requirements for aircraft at high speeds. Accordingly, the assessment of the functional condition of airfield pavements is crucial for [...] Read more.
One of the main priorities of airport authorities is to maintain a high level of serviceability of runway pavements due to the high safety requirements for aircraft at high speeds. Accordingly, the assessment of the functional condition of airfield pavements is crucial for the proper operation of an airport. The most critical functional parameter appears to be pavement roughness. It characterizes the condition of the runway surface and is directly related to the safety of aircraft flights, as it affects the handling characteristics and braking performance of the aircraft, the increase in operating costs, and the wear of the aircraft. Worldwide, there are several indices for assessing the roughness of airfield pavements. This study aims to compare some of these indices to assess their ability to capture the characteristics of airfield pavement roughness. For this purpose, roughness data were collected along a runway with flexible pavement at a regional airport in southeast Europe and corresponding indices were estimated. The analysis of the data leads to the most efficient index for assessing the roughness of airfield surfaces to date. However, the need for a new index that expresses the response of the aircraft remains a critical issue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Geotechnics for Sustainable Infrastructure Development)
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28 pages, 9202 KiB  
Article
Effect of Coarse Aggregate Type on the Fracture Toughness of Ordinary Concrete
by Grzegorz Ludwik Golewski
Infrastructures 2024, 9(10), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9100185 - 13 Oct 2024
Viewed by 658
Abstract
This research work aims to compare the strength and fracture mechanics properties of plain concretes, obtained from different coarse aggregates. During the study, mechanical parameters including compressive strength (fcm) and splitting tensile strength (fctm), as well as [...] Read more.
This research work aims to compare the strength and fracture mechanics properties of plain concretes, obtained from different coarse aggregates. During the study, mechanical parameters including compressive strength (fcm) and splitting tensile strength (fctm), as well as fracture parameters involving critical stress intensity factor (KIcS) and critical crack tip opening displacement (CTODc) were evaluated. The effect of the aggregates used on the brittleness of the concretes was also analyzed. For better understanding of the crack initiation and propagation in concretes with different coarse aggregates, a macroscopic failure surfaces examination of the tested beams is also presented. Crushed aggregates covered were basalt (BA), granite (GT), and limestone (LM), and natural peeble gravel aggregate (GL) were used in the concrete mixtures. Fracture toughness tests were performed on an MTS 810 testing machine. Due to the high strength of the rock material, the rough surface of the aggregate grains, and good bonding in the ITZ area between the aggregate and the paste, the concretes with crushed aggregates exhibited high fracture toughness. Both of the analyzed fracture mechanics parameters, i.e.,  KIcS and CTODc, increased significantly in the case of concretes which were manufactured with crushed aggregates. They amounted, in comparison to concrete based on gravel aggregate, to levels ranging from 20% for concrete with limestone aggregate to over 30% for concrete with a granite aggregate, and to as much as over 70% for concrete with basalt aggregate. On the other hand, the concrete with gravel aggregate showed the lowest fracture toughness because of the smooth surface of the aggregate grains and poor bonding between the aggregate and the cement paste. However, the fracture process in each series of concrete was quasi-plastic in the case of gravel concrete, semi-brittle in the case of limestone concrete, and clearly brittle in the case of the concretes based on granite and basalt aggregates. The results obtained help to explain how the coarse aggregate type affects the strength parameters and fracture toughness at bending. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Geotechnics for Sustainable Infrastructure Development)
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31 pages, 6280 KiB  
Article
Proposing Optimized Random Forest Models for Predicting Compressive Strength of Geopolymer Composites
by Feng Bin, Shahab Hosseini, Jie Chen, Pijush Samui, Hadi Fattahi and Danial Jahed Armaghani
Infrastructures 2024, 9(10), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9100181 - 9 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1226
Abstract
This paper explores advanced machine learning approaches to enhance the prediction accuracy of compressive strength (CoS) in geopolymer composites (GePC). Geopolymers, as sustainable alternatives to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), offer significant environmental benefits by utilizing industrial by-products such as fly ash and ground [...] Read more.
This paper explores advanced machine learning approaches to enhance the prediction accuracy of compressive strength (CoS) in geopolymer composites (GePC). Geopolymers, as sustainable alternatives to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), offer significant environmental benefits by utilizing industrial by-products such as fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS). The accurate prediction of their compressive strength is crucial for optimizing their mix design and reducing experimental efforts. We present a comparative analysis of two hybrid models, Harris Hawks Optimization with Random Forest (HHO-RF) and Sine Cosine Algorithm with Random Forest (SCA-RF), against traditional regression methods and classical models like the Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), General Regression Neural Network (GRNN), and Radial Basis Function (RBF). Using a comprehensive dataset derived from various scientific publications, we focus on key input variables including the fine aggregate, GGBS, fly ash, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) molarity, and others. Our results indicate that the SCA-RF model achieved a superior performance with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.562 and a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.987, compared to the HHO-RF model, which obtained an RMSE of 1.742 and an R2 of 0.982. Both hybrid models significantly outperformed traditional methods, demonstrating their higher accuracy and reliability in predicting the compressive strength of GePC. This research underscores the potential of hybrid machine learning models in advancing sustainable construction materials through precise predictive modeling, paving the way for more environmentally friendly and efficient construction practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Geotechnics for Sustainable Infrastructure Development)
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Review

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37 pages, 2061 KiB  
Review
Innovative Pavement Solutions: A Comprehensive Review from Conventional Asphalt to Sustainable Colored Alternatives
by Anisa Riaz, Nof Yasir, Gul Badin and Yasir Mahmood
Infrastructures 2024, 9(10), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9100186 - 14 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1047
Abstract
Climate change significantly impacts transportation infrastructure, particularly asphalt pavements. Similarly, the heat absorption of paved surfaces, especially conventional black pavements, significantly intensifies the urban microclimate. Paved surfaces, including asphalt pavements, account for over 30% of the covered surfaces and are vulnerable to rising [...] Read more.
Climate change significantly impacts transportation infrastructure, particularly asphalt pavements. Similarly, the heat absorption of paved surfaces, especially conventional black pavements, significantly intensifies the urban microclimate. Paved surfaces, including asphalt pavements, account for over 30% of the covered surfaces and are vulnerable to rising temperatures, which cause not only pavement distress, such as rutting and cracking, but also urban heat islands (UHI). Sustainable pavement solutions, specifically colored pavements, have been investigated for their potential to mitigate these effects. This review presents an extensive overview of current pavement technologies, emphasizing conventional asphalt’s economic, environmental, and functional characteristics. A discussion of the benefits and challenges of colored pavements is also provided, including their ability to reduce UHI, enhance safety, and contribute to sustainable urban growth. This paper discusses advancements in pavement material science, the use of recycled materials, and the application of reflective coatings, providing insights into sustainable infrastructure development. Transitioning from conventional black pavements to sustainable colored alternatives is not merely a matter of material choice but a strategic transition toward resilient urban planning. Increasing demand for environmentally friendly infrastructure could prompt the construction industry to adopt colored pavements as a tool to promote environmental stewardship. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Geotechnics for Sustainable Infrastructure Development)
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