Innovations in Roadway and Transport Infrastructure Engineering

This research area focuses on advancing the design, construction, and maintenance of durable and sustainable transportation infrastructure, including roads, railways, ports, and airports. Our work combines advanced materials science, geotechnical engineering, and smart management systems to optimize infrastructure performance.

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Key Research Areas

1. Computational Analysis of Transport Infrastructure

• Finite element modeling of pavement structural behavior

• Dynamic load simulations for heavy traffic conditions

• AI-driven predictive maintenance models

2. Advanced Materials for Infrastructure

• Characterization of asphalt binders, aggregates, and composites

• Development of high-performance, long-lasting pavements

• Testing protocols for tropical climate adaptability

3. Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions

• Incorporation of industrial by-products (slag, fly ash, plastic waste) in pavement layers

• Recycled materials (RAP, RCA) for eco-friendly road construction

• Circular economy approaches in infrastructure projects

4. Soil Stabilization & Reinforcement

• Chemical and mechanical stabilization of weak subgrades

• Geosynthetics and bio-based additives for soil improvement

• Expansive clay treatment techniques

5. Infrastructure Design & Management

• Life-cycle cost analysis for optimal asset management

• Smart infrastructure monitoring using IoT sensors

• Resilience-based design for climate adaptation

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Ongoing Research Projects

Project	Description	Innovation
Green Pavements	Use of recycled tires and plastics in asphalt mixes	30% reduction in carbon footprint
Self-Healing Asphalt	Microcapsule-based asphalt repair technology	2x longer service life
AI-Powered Pavement Management	Machine learning for crack detection and prioritization	90% prediction accuracy
Low-Carbon Soil Stabilizers	Agro-industrial waste as soil stabilizers	40% cost reduction vs. traditional methods

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Laboratory & Field Capabilities

Testing Facilities

• Advanced Rheology Lab: DSR, BBR for asphalt characterization

• Accelerated Pavement Testing: Full-scale load simulators

• Geotechnical Lab: CBR, triaxial, permeability testing

Field Technologies

• 3D Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) for subsurface assessment

• Laser profilometers for roughness measurement

• Mobile labs for in-situ material testing

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Industry & Societal Impact

• Road longevity: New materials extend pavement life by 50%

• Cost reduction: Recycled materials cut construction costs by 20-30%

• Safety: Improved skid resistance and drainage designs

• Sustainability: 35% lower emissions in pavement projects

Aligns with UN SDGs 9 (Industry Innovation), 11 (Sustainable Cities), and 13 (Climate Action).

Partnerships: ANTT, DER-SP, CCR, VALE, and leading international research centers.