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Current Projects

Feasibility of Cold Central Plant Recycling (CCPR) Asphalt Mixtures for Airports

With the Administration setting the goal that the United States will be carbon neutral by 2050, all industries are being asked to consider how they can contribute to making this goal reality. Recently, Cold Central Plant Recycling (CCPR) has been used by some agencies to reduce energy demands and research has suggested that CCPR mixtures can perform well on highways; however, little research has been conducted to show the feasibility for this type of mixture on airfields. The objective of this project is to assess the feasibility and potential benefits of using CCPR asphalt mixtures at all categories of airports.

Principal Investigator: David Jones (University of California, Davis)

Panel: Richard Willis (Co-Chair), Jennifer Ganley (Co-Chair), Injun Song, Will Rogers, David Allain, Scott Quire, Mark Stahl, Wayne Seiler, Jason Wielinski, Nivedya Mk, Priyanka Sarker

Timeline: September 1, 2022 – August 31, 2025

Funding: $500,000

 

Balanced Mix Design: Evaluation of Cracking Tests for Airfield Pavements

This Balanced Mix Design project explores which cracking tests should be considered for airfield evaluation.

Principal Investigator: Imad Al-Qadi (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Panel: Brett Williams (Co-Chair), Navneet Garg (Co-Chair), Sadie Casillas, Chuck Mills, Brandon Brever, Alfredo Castro, Tim Peffer, Kelly Senger

Timeline: August 15, 2022 – August 14, 2025

Funding: $1,000,000

 

VALIDATION OF GYRATIONS FOR SUPERPAVE GYRATORY COMPACTOR FOR MIX DESIGN OF AIRPORT ASPHALT MIXTURES

While there have been past studies to evaluate the number of Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC) gyrations needed for laboratory compaction to produce mixtures with similar voids to the Marshall compactor, some questions remain around the correct compaction level with the SGC. The previous work will aid in this project's objective to determine the number of gyrations needed to compact mixtures to produce the same volumetrics as that produced with the Marshall hammer. The research team will then develop a test plan to modify/validate the number of gyrations based on testing with plant produced mixtures, followed by the phase 2 work to carry out the field study.

Principal Investigator: Randy West (National Center for Asphalt Technology at Auburn University)

Panel: Ray Brown (Co-Chair), Hillary Maull (Co-Chair), Victor Garcia, John Crane, Andrew Brooks, Ron Corun, Michael Elwardany

Timeline: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025

Funding: $75,000 (Phase 1), $225,000 (Phase 2)


P-401 MIXTURES: AGGREGATE GRADATION BANDS

The advancement of mix design methodologies and performance testing in recent years presents opportunities to develop less restrictive gradation requirements while providing equal (or better) mixture performance when compared with mixtures designed under the current P-401 specifications. The objective of this project is to recommend gradation range requirements, including critical sieves and allowable ranges, that provide more flexibility for design mixture aggregate gradations without creating adverse effects on mixture performance.

Principal Investigator: Nam Tran (Auburn University)

Panel: Brett Williams (Co-Chair), Kristen Morris (Co-Chair), Matthew Hoyle, Brian Wood, Jeremy Barron, Jim Scherocman, Hadi Rashidi

Timeline: April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2025

Funding: $1,000,000

 

SYNTHESIS OF STATE OF PRACTICE AND RESEARCH NEEDS FOR AIRFIELD ASPHALT PAVEMENT RESILIENCE

Extreme weather events and climate strongly influence pavement performance and, without consideration during the design and planning of projects, can lead to disruptions during the pavement's service life. This project will develop a framework and recommended standards for improving the resilience of airfield asphalt pavements to extreme weather events and changing climatic conditions.

Principal Investigator: Ben Bowers (Auburn University)

Panel: Joseph Shacat (Co-Chair), Cindy Hirsch (Co-Chair), Jeremy Robinson, Michael Elwardany, Hao Yin, Heather Dylla, Mary Robbins

Timeline: April 1, 2024 – October 1, 2025

Funding: $1,250,000


Asphalt Airfields Video Series

Objective: Develop a series of videos to pair with the paving handbook for technology transfer

Principal Investigator: Jennifer McCabe (Applied Research Associates)

Timeline: Finalizing

Budget: $500,000


Use of RAP In P-401 Mixtures

Objective: To assess the impact of using RAP in airfield asphalt mixtures and understand the potential impact for carbon reduction

Principal Investigator: Adam Hand (University of Nevada at Reno)

Timeline: October 1, 2025 – March 1, 2025 (Phase 1)

Total Budget: $1,250,000


Advanced Technologies for Airfield Pavement Projects

Objective: Synthesize global research and technological advancements to enhance airfield pavement performance, focusing on innovative materials, predictive modeling, and advanced construction techniques. By leveraging AI-driven tools and comprehensive data analysis, it will deliver strategic recommendations to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability in airport infrastructure.

Principal Investigator: Y. Richard Kim (Continuum Infrastructure Solutions, Inc.)

Panel: Brett Williams (Co-Chair), David Rich (Co-Chair), Nam Tran, Jason Bausano, Bruce Barkevich, Wangyu Ma, Christopher Unzicker, Scott Murrell

Timeline: January 2025 – December 31, 2025

Funding: $200,000