Jakub Ciążela, Jarosław Bąkała, Mirosław Kowaliński
et al.
Abstract: MIRORES is a compact mid-infrared (MIR) to far-infrared (FIR) spectrometer
designed for geological prospecting on the Moon and Earth. It covers the 6–20 µm range
(optionally extending to ~45 µm) at ~0.5 µm spectral resolution, enabling detection of
mineral signatures (e.g., phosphates, oxides) not observable with visible/near-infrared sensors.
A 256×320 focal plane array (with 16 narrowband channels of 20 rows each) and two
additional detectors for apatite and ilmenite, paired with a lightweight optical system, delivers
robust performance in both lunar and terrestrial applications. Field trials and integration plans
demonstrate technical readiness and strategic alignment with space resource initiatives.
Keywords: Infrared Spectroscopy; Remote Sensing; Ore geology; Space Resources
Highway engineering. Roads and pavements, Bridge engineering
Aging plays a critical role in determining the durability and long-term performance of asphalt pavements, as it is influenced by both external factors (e.g., temperature, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, moisture, oxidative gases) and internal factors such as binder composition. Although laboratory simulations of aging are well established for conventional bituminous binders, limited attention has been paid to replicating and evaluating aging processes in bio-based binders. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of current laboratory techniques for simulating and assessing binder aging, with a focus on two key areas: aging simulation protocols and evaluation methodologies. The analysis shows that although several efforts have been made to incorporate external aging factors into lab simulations, significant challenges persist, especially in the case of bio-based binders, which are characterized by a high variability in composition and limited understanding of their aging behavior. Current evaluation approaches also exhibit limitations. Improvements are needed in the molecular-level analysis of oxidation (e.g., through more representative oxidation models in molecular dynamics simulations), in the separation and quantification of binder constituents, and in the application of advanced techniques such as fluorescence microscopy to better characterize polymer dispersion. To enhance the reliability of laboratory simulations, future research should aim to improve the correlation between laboratory and field aging, define robust aging indexes, and refine characterization methods. These advancements are particularly critical for bio-based binders, whose performance is highly sensitive to aging and for which standard test protocols are still underdeveloped. A deeper understanding of aging mechanisms in both polymer-modified and bio-based binders, along with improved analytical tools for assessing oxidative degradation and morphological changes, will be essential to support the development of sustainable, high-performance paving materials.
Highway engineering. Roads and pavements, Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Introduction. The road sector is one of the industries governed by a large number of laws, regulations, and other normative-legal acts, many of which directly or indirectly affect it. Some of these require adaptation to the current conditions of the modern market and integration with the ongoing processes in the industry. Implementing new or amending existing normative-legal acts and regulatory documents is usually a complex process. Currently, Ukraine's economy is in a transitional period, largely due to military actions on its territory. Thus, addressing issues related to determining the cost of project works has become more relevant than ever. The concept of “price” is closely linked to the pricing factors that shape it, with pricing being a key part of achieving the strategic goals of enterprises. Pricing policy plays an important role in the lifecycle of project enterprises as it influences their development, creates a market environment, and allows for the continuation of activities and strategic planning for future development. Establishing a sound pricing policy involves research and gathering information about the market for road works and services, analyzing economic factors, and preparing projects to meet market needs and optimize their implementation. Changes in approaches to determining the cost of project works will help establish a sound pricing policy for project enterprises, which will contribute to the development of the road sector and, ultimately, the recovery of our country.
Problem statement. In modern economic science, there are different viewpoints on the formation of project work costs. By developing theoretical foundations and systematizing analytical data, many Ukrainian and foreign scientists have explored the issues of construction and design pricing, offering insights into various pricing methods used in determining project costs. For many years, Ukrainian scientists have studied and compared project cost determination practices worldwide, where different methods and approaches are applied, with the aim of creating the most favorable pricing conditions for all participants in the investment process when determining project costs and implementing them in Ukraine. The works of scholars such as Günter Löhnert, K. A. Schreibe, S.-Yu. V. Marciukaitis, M. A. Karpovich, M. A. Simakova, and others, who focused on construction pricing and practical methodological approaches to project cost determination using various pricing methods, are particularly noteworthy.
Today, the process of forming a contract price is labor-intensive and presents additional challenges for market participants, leading to corruption risks. At the same time, project enterprises propose new concepts and project solutions that will drive development in the current and future contexts of our country, with direct economic, social, and environmental impacts on the population and the country as a whole. One important task today is to review the existing pricing system, particularly regarding the determination of project work costs for road works and services.
Objective. Improving the regulatory framework requires significant effort to enhance the legal regulation of the road sector as a whole. The purpose of this study is to analyze the current base of normative documents used to determine the cost of project works in Ukraine, study international experience in determining the cost of design work, and provide recommendations for improving the current pricing system for project works in Ukraine.
Introduction. There is a general worldwide aspiration to increase the sustainability in every national economy branch, including road engineering. The growing use of various industrial by-products as economical and eco-friendly road construction and maintenance techniques can be observed in many countries. Coal fly ash is a worldwide available industrial by-product that can be advantageously used in road sector.
Problem Statement. The utilization of various types of fly ash in road sector can be not only en-vironmentally friendly, but also cost effective; however, eventually several special technological measures must be taken.
Purpose. Presenting best practices and development trends for the use of coal fly ash in various road construction and maintenance techniques based on decade-long Hungarian and foreign experiences.
Materials and Methods. The main types investigated here are coal fly ash, eventually with acid or basic modification, also in treated forms, as well as bottom ash. The main utilization areas in road construction and maintenance are asphalt layers (principally the filler of the mixture), cement production, cement concrete pavements, other hydraulically bound pavement layers and subgrade material. (Additionally, the by-product can be used, among others, for bricks and blocks, wastewater treatment, and scrubber sludge solidification).
Annisa Zahara, Lindung Zalbuin Mase, Fepy Supriani
et al.
Area pesisir Kota Bengkulu terletak pada posisi strategis di pertemuan lempeng Indo-Australia dan Eurasia, menjadikannya sebagai wilayah dengan risiko tinggi terhadap aktivitas seismik. Pertemuan lempeng ini menyebabkan intensitas gempa yang signifikan sehingga berdampak pada berbagai permasalahan geoteknik di kawasan tersebut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perbandingan dua metode analisis, yaitu linier ekuivalen dan nonlinier dalam menilai respon seismik pada wilayah pesisir Kota Bengkulu serta menguji keandalannya dalam analisis respon seismik. Metodologi yang digunakan mencakup studi literatur, pengumpulan data, dan analisis respon seismik menggunakan perbandingan metode linier ekuivalen dan nonlinier model Pressure Dependent Hyperbolic (PDH) yang menghasilkan Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA), percepatan respon spektra, dan faktor amplifikasi. Hasil analisis mengindikasikan respon spektra melampaui spektra desain pada periode 0,1-0,4 detik, yang dapat membahayakan bangunan berlantai rendah. Metode nonlinier memiliki faktor amplifikasi sebesar 0,91–1,52g, sementara metode linier ekuivalen sebesar 1,01–1,60g, yang menunjukkan bahwa metode linier ekuivalen berpotensi menyebabkan kerusakan struktural yang lebih besar. Selain itu, metode linier ekuivalen menghasilkan nilai PGA yang lebih tinggi di permukaan, tetapi lebih rendah di lapisan bawah jika dibandingkan dengan metode nonlinier. Secara keseluruhan, metode linier ekuivalen memberikan hasil yang lebih konservatif, terutama dalam analisis struktur sederhana dengan nilai PGA kecil. Sebaliknya, metode nonlinier lebih akurat dalam memperhitungkan perilaku nonlinier tanah, terutama pada percepatan gempa besar. Penelitian ini mengindikasikan perlu adanya studi lanjutan mengenai analisis bangunan gedung pada kawasan pesisir kota bengkulu untuk mengidentifikasi risiko yang lebih spesifik terkait infrastruktur yang ada.
Highway engineering. Roads and pavements, Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
The absence of instructions and standards, or the misinterpretation of existing recommendations is the reason for the creation of this article. The Ministry of Environmental Protection should determine clear rules for when and where certain purification devices are applied, as well as to what quality rainwater should be filtered before being discharged into natural watercourses, melioration canals or underground. Leaving it to the Designer to determine the level of purification leads to the problem of harmonizing the interpretation of the regulations (eg, standard EN858) with other participants in the road construction. Key Words: rain runoff, recommendations, purification.
Abstract As a result of progressive use of BIM in effective collaboration and sophisticated data management, the amount of diverse project information is rapidly increased, thus its appearance directly led to revolutionary change in intelligent engineering and production mode. However, it has not been quite advanced in supporting road engineering, especially in conducting a structural calculation for asphalt pavement. Relying on the capabilities of BIM and finite element modeling software ABAQUS, this paper proposed a data conversion interface that can not only present three-dimensional visual modeling but also conduct structural calculation for asphalt pavement. A 3D visualization modeling of asphalt pavement was firstly carried out through Revit modeling software. Afterward, the generated model file (.RVT) was imported into the transferring software YJK, and the model was transformed into a file named INP by the transferring software. Thus, the generated model file (.INP) was analyzed by the software ABAQUS. This study effectively strengthened the BIM with structural analysis capability by developing a conversion interface based on BIM-ABAQUS. The framework provided a supporting platform for the integration of BIM-based highway route design and pavement structural analysis in pavement engineering.
C. Suksiripattanapong, Taweerat Phetprapai, W. Singsang
et al.
The use of concrete in road construction has grown over the past decade due to the material’s great durability. However, concrete has poor tensile strength, ductility, and energy absorption. This paper aims to investigate the utilization of plastic waste, namely polypropylene (PP), to create a novel fiber to enhance the engineering properties of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC), an eco-friendly concrete that can reduce environmental problems. The 28-day design strengths of 28 and 32 MPa were used in this study because the compressive strength requirements for concrete footpaths and pavement specified by Austroads and the Department of Highways, Thailand, were at least 25 and 32 MPa, respectively. The fiber (F) was a mixture of virgin PP and recycled PP (RPP). The study used F contents of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1% by weight of cement and PP:RPP ratios of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100. The compressive strength, flexural strength, leaching, and CO2 emissions savings of FRC were evaluated. Improvements in the compressive strength, flexural strength, and toughness of the samples with F were observed in comparison to the control concrete samples for all design strengths. All mixtures met the compressive strength requirements for concrete footpaths, except for F contents of 0.75 and 1% and a PP:RPP ratio of 0:100. By contrast, the 32 MPa FRC samples with F contents of 0.25 and 0.5% and all PP:RPP ratios met the requirements for rigid pavement. From an environmental perspective, the heavy metal contaminants of the 32 MPa FRC sample were within the allowable limits for all mixtures. Regarding incineration disposal, the maximum CO2 emissions savings of 28 MPa and 32 MPa FRC with an F content of 0.5% and a PP:RPP ratio of 0:100 were 1.0 and 1.11 kg CO2-e/m3, respectively. This research will enable plastic waste, traditionally destined for incineration and landfill disposal, to be used as a sustainable fiber in the construction industry.
Introduction. Environmental impact assessment is an important legal instrument that is aimed at preventing / minimizing environmental damage, ensuring environmental safety, rational use of natural resources, in the decision-making process on the implementation of economic activities. EIA is an important legal tool to prevent the consequences of activities of both enterprises and planned activities. This tool is as close as possible to European Union standards. EIA is carried out in compliance with the requirements of the legislation on environmental protection, taking into account the existing ecological state, environmental risks of the planned activity, prospects for socio-economic development, the power of the combined direct and indirect impact, including taking into account existing facilities.
An EIA is a procedure preceding a planned economic activity (in this case, the construction or reconstruction of roads) and involves determining the nature, degree of danger of this activity on the environment and public health
Problem Statement. Projects for the construction and reconstruction of roads are an integral part of Ukraine. Transport infrastructure has a significant negative impact on the environment, which is accompanied by the transformation of ecosystems, fragmentation of landscapes. In addition, motor vehicles are a powerful source of pollution of the atmosphere, territories and water areas adjacent to roads, and noise pollution. However, do not ignore the economic importance of road communication. That is why, the planning, construction and operation of roads must be carried out in accordance with environmental standards, and the norms themselves must ensure minimization of environmental impact.
So far, there are no clear practical recommendatory criteria for determining the environmental damage of the proposed activity and the preparation of the EIA report. That is why it is important to constantly improve existing methods and definitions of environmental risks in order to form an assessment mechanism. This study is devoted to the application of one of such modern mechanisms of environmental impact assessment. The use of the method for assessing the level of environmental hazards for the implementation of the planned activities in the construction and reconstruction of critical infrastructure facilities was tested.
Purpose. To test the method of assessing the level of environmental impact in the implementation of planned activities in the construction and reconstruction of the highway.
Research methods. general scientific (generalization, comparison, analysis and synthesis, theoretical and methodological substantiation); mathematical statistics
Results. To quantify the interaction between the types of activities (or groups of acting factors) during the project and the components (environmental characteristics) of the environment, a combined approach was taken to assess the impact using the improved Leopold matrix. The matrix is a table that contains horizontally a list of processes that affect the environment during the reconstruction (repair) of the road, vertically — criteria and indicators of impact, as environmental characteristics. The evaluator (analyst, project developer, expert) can modify the matrix in accordance with the specific tasks of the road construction and reconstruction (repair) project.
Conclusion. The generalized function allows you to set an integral indicator of environmental impact assessment, which is a quantitative, unambiguous, universal indicator of the quality of the studied object and can be used as an EIA criterion for the construction and reconstruction (repair) of a road through its adequacy, efficiency and statistical sensitivity.
Introduction. The article examines the testing method of monolithic slabs of bridges deck with permanent reinforced concrete formwork [1] using the method of optical-digital speckle-correlation of images [2].
Problem statement. A promising direction in cast-in-situ bridge construction is using of various types of permanent formwork during slab concreting. However, using of such formworks has not been studied much till today. Therefore, it is advisable to conduct a test of full-scale models of slabs. In domestic practice, mechanical devices, strain gauges, optical microscopes, etc. are used during laboratory studies and field tests of building structures to measure relative deformations and movements, as well as to visually observe the formation and development of cracks. All these devices require constant checking and maintenance and it is not always possible to do this. However, for the needs of laboratory tests with the method of optical-digital speckle correlation of images, a digital image of the object at different load levels is mostly sufficient. It is only necessary to choose the right optics according to the experimental area and ensure sufficient lighting.
Purpose. The purpose of the work was in experimentally determining of the expediency of using the optical-digital speckle-correlation method of images in the models testing.
Metods of study. According to the results of exploratory researches, it is proposed to apply the method of optical-digital speckle correlation of images.
Results. The expediency of using the method of optical-digital speckle-correlation of images in the investigation of bridges deck models has been established.
Conclusions. Using the method of optical-digital speckle-correlation of images makes possible to investigate the change of relative deformations and the movement of individual points or areas during the study of concrete surfaces. This, in turn, allows to investigate the places and nature of the formation of cracks and enables practical use - during the examination of existing structures, it is possible to record the places of future cracks and the relative deformations of individual areas.
Abstract: The article describes the basic requirements for the railway infrastructure of the comprehensive, extended core and core TEN-T network resulting from the draft of a new regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) on this matter. Then, the proposed TEN-T corridor “Baltic Sea – Black Sea – Aegean” is presented, which route is to lead largely through eastern and south-eastern Poland. This corridor, along with its considered link with the “Rail Baltica” route, fits well with the concept of the so-called eastern main line. The condition for creation of the corridor and the link is to ensure technical and operational parameters in accordance with the TEN-T requirements on the sections of railway lines included in their route, therefore the article assesses, what scope of investment works is related to the achievement of this goal and what adjustments and optimization measures should be considered. The creation of the corridor with the link may increase the transport accessibility of Polish regions located within their range of influence, and thus contribute to the economic development of these regions. Key words: accessibility, railway infrastructure
Highway engineering. Roads and pavements, Bridge engineering
Abstract: In the process of using airport pavements, destructive processes of concrete slabs caused by operational loads and environmental factors are observed. One of the most common damages to concrete surfaces is thresholds (faults) - vertical displacements of the edges of the slabs or displacements on the cracks of the slabs, resulting from damage to the subsoil or foundation. Performing periodic inspections of the technical condition of the pavement allows you to monitor the changes taking place and at the same time plan repairs, which is associated with the selection of appropriate materials for their implementation. This article is devoted to the issue of stabilization and leveling of concrete pavement slabs in the low-pressure injection technology with the use of specialized injection materials (resins). The technology of board re-leveling is used in places of settlement, permanently strengthening the subsoil or substructure, as well as allowing to restore the required parameters of surface evenness. The article presents the results of laboratory tests as well as the results of field tests carried out before and after the injection works, based on the example of works carried out at one of the airport facilities in Poland. The article presents, among others the results of the load-bearing and evenness tests of the pavement and the results of the tests with the use of GPR. The presented technology belongs to non-invasive repair solutions and short-term works. Keywords: concrete pavement; Geotechnical injections; Keystroke plates
Highway engineering. Roads and pavements, Bridge engineering
Expansive soil is a problematic soil which found in wide part of the world that has a high degree of sensitivity, nature of expansion and shrink behavior during water adding and removing this caused insufficient bearing capacity, excessive differential settlement and instability on excavation and embankment forming those conditions accelerate damage of building structure, road highway and dam. Attempt to undertake construction in such type of soil result will be bearing capacity failure, settlement problem. One of the well-known application of Lime and fly ash were improve Atterberg limits, compaction characteristics, bearing capacity and prevention of swelling problem of expansive clay that is why the main reason to select lime and fly ash in this project, both are good binding material to increase the cohesion force and shear strength of soil and assured to established rigid pavements and foundations. The mixing proportion of lime, fly ash and combination of lime and fly ash are (0%, 2 %, 4 % ), (10%, 15% ,20% ), (2 %+10 %, 2 % +15 %, 2 % +20 %) and (4 %+10 %, 4 % + 15 % , 4 %+ 20 %) with expansive soil respectively and then explored how much it modify the characteristics of soil like maximum dry density moisture content, consistency limits, FSI, UCS and CBR value which compare to untreated soil. Lime and fly ash treated soil carried out various tests Such as Moisture content test, consistency limit, compaction test, Unconfined Compression swelling index test and California bearing ratio test then after justify weather the bearing capacity of soil is good or not . Classification of soil was determined by conducting plasticity index and swelling index tests. Effect of lime and fly ash on soil index properties were assessed by conducting Atterberg limits test, strength of soil were assessed by conducting compaction test, UCS tests and CBR test and swelling properties were checked by conducting swelling index test. Expansive clay soil were mixed with lime, fly ash and combination of lime - fly ash by replacement process of soil and then cured for 7, 14 and 28 days.
Gaetano Bosurgi, Orazio Pellegrino, Giuseppe Sollazzo
The existing international standards suggest a methodology to assign a specific functional class to a road, by the values of some features, both geometrical and use-related. Sometimes, these characteristics are in contrast with each other and direct the analyst towards conflicting classes for a road or, worse, one or more of these features vary heterogeneously along the road. In these conditions, the analyst assigns the class that, by his capability and experience, he retains the most appropriate, in a very subjective way. On the contrary, the definition of an automatic procedure assuring an objective identification of the most appropriate functional class for each road would be desirable. Such a solution would be useful, especially when the road belongs to the existing infrastructure network or when it was not realised by out of date standards. The proposed procedure regards the definition of a classification model based on Pattern Recognition techniques, considering 13 input variables that, depending on their assumed value, direct the analyst towards one of the four functional classes defined by the Italian standards. In this way, it is possible to classify a road even when its characteristics are heterogeneous and conflicting. Moreover, the authors analysed the model limitations, in terms of errors and dataset size, considering observation and variable numbers. This approach, representing a beneficial decision support tool for the decision-maker, is exploitable for both planned and existing roads and becomes particularly advantageous for road agencies aiming to optimally allocate their limited funds for specific interventions assuring the achievement of a fixed functional class.
Highway engineering. Roads and pavements, Bridge engineering
Marialisa Nigro, Marco Petrelli, Rasa Ušpalytė-Vitkūnienė
et al.
Walkability analysis has grown in popularity in recent years: several studies have analysed the public health, economic, environmental, transportation and other benefits of promoting walkability. Different authors in the literature focus on the analysis of walking indicators related to the structure of the road network to explain the walkability of an area. However, extra efforts have to be made to study many other conditions that affect the propensity to walk: not just the shape of the network and the urban topology, but also the security and the attractiveness of the landscape, or specific characteristics of the infrastructure such as the size of the sidewalks, the automobile accommodation values (automobile and motorcycle parking) and the pedestrian route difficulty (slope and over length of the paths, dead-end streets). This paper aims to understand the walkability propensity, investigating explanatory variables related to the concept of the pedestrian path quality at the microscopic level. Several data have been collected in different zones of the Rome City (Italy), utterly dissimilar from the pedestrian point of view. These data have been compared with the real path for pedestrian choices and with other standard walkability measures from literature.
Highway engineering. Roads and pavements, Bridge engineering
Rajan Choudhary, Asho Julaganti, Abhinay Kumar
et al.
Warm Mix Asphalt, due to lower mixing and compaction temperatures, provides some engineering benefits over conventional Hot Mix Asphalt. In this study, an attempt is made to assess the viability of using Warm Mix Asphalt technology in bituminous base courses. An organic wax-based Warm Mix Asphalt additive was used in this study to produce Dense Bituminous Macadam, a commonly used bituminous base course mix in India. Experimental variables included three additive contents and four mixing temperatures. Rheological properties of binder modified with different doses of additive were examined. In all, twelve Warm Mix Asphalt Dense Bituminous Macadam mix types were prepared, evaluated and compared with Hot Mix Asphalt Dense Bituminous Macadam (control) mix. Rheological test results showed the addition of wax-based additive improved stiffness and resistance against permanent deformation of the base binder. Tensile Strength Ratio and retained Marshall Stability results indicated that Warm Mix Asphalt Dense Bituminous Macadam mixes were resistant to moisture-induced damage.
Highway engineering. Roads and pavements, Bridge engineering
The durability of pavement layers depends on the type of bitumen and changes in its material structure during service life. In 1999, while rebuilding and modernizing road infrastructure in Kielce (Poland), a stone mastic asphalt wearing coarse layer with hydrated lime was placed on one of the town’s main streets. Stone mastic asphalt mixture contained 6.2% of D70 bitumen (currently 50/70) and 4% SBS polymer under the trade name Kraton 1101 CM. The hydrated lime was dosed into the stone mastic asphalt mixture to replace 30% of the filler mass. Pavement surface condition after 12 years of service life was very good. In 2011, bitumen samples were extracted from stone mastic asphalt and tested. The tests were performed on the samples that contained fatty amine and hydrated lime as adhesive agents, obtained from stone mastic asphalt wearing course layer in the rut paths and from between the area limited by rut paths. The hydrated lime additive was found to have a positive effect on rheological properties of the recovered bitumen providing resistance to the water and frost.
Highway engineering. Roads and pavements, Bridge engineering
High-speed rail provides a safe, efficient, and economic transportation system for regions with high population density such as eastern China. To accommodate the rapid development of high-speed rails in China, the bridges with standard spans have been identified as the main infrastructure type. This article provides a state-of-the-art review on the design and construction of the standard simply-supported beam (simple beam) bridges for high-speed rails in China. The structural components discussed include the main girder, deck, and substructure. The live load models, deformation limiting values, and construction methods for the bridges are also discussed. Additionally, the experimental tests were conducted to verify the static and dynamic performances of the structure. The main objective of this paper is to provide the latest design and construction experience of Chinese standard simple beam bridges in high-speed rail and show how a quick and quality engineering has been achieved by utilizing these standardized bridges.
Highway engineering. Roads and pavements, Bridge engineering