Advances in Alternative Asphalt and Pavement Materials: Design, Structure and Properties

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, the need to improve the environmental sustainability of asphalt pavement has promoted a more inclusive concept of alternative paving materials and technologies for road applications. This family of solutions includes paving components such as binders (bio-binders, biomaterials, bio-oils, etc.), aggregates (construction and demolition wastes, reclaimed asphalt pavement, steel slags, artificial aggregates, plastics, etc.) and additives (asphalt recycling agent, rubber, plastic, fibers, recycled polymers, waxes, anti-stripping agents, etc.). Combining alternative paving materials with technologies such as warm, cold and foam mixing can enhance their sustainability benefits by reducing energy demand and emissions.

Alternative paving materials demand a novel approach to natively incorporate these materials into the design of paving composites to ensure their high performance and durability. For these new materials, the evaluation of the structure and microstructure of the mixture to understand its properties and behavior is crucial. At the same time, defining how the mix design can be integrated into the pavement design is essential.

This Special Issue covers various subjects related to the design, structure, and properties of alternative paving materials that can find applications in road engineering. Research on material characterization, laboratory and field performance, mix and pavement design and numerical modeling and aspects addressing safety, environment, sustainability, economics, society, equity and inclusion is welcome. Literature reviews and state-of-the-art contributions are also welcome, since they can provide a deep insight into the research that has already been conducted in the field and the future research needs. In addition, contributions to green and smart technology, as well as to methodologies for assessing sustainable development, are also encouraged.

Dr. Chiara Riccardi
Dr. Augusto Cannone Falchetto
Guest Editors

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• alternative binders
• alternative paving components
• balanced mix design
• sustainable life cycle analysis
• safety, equity and inclusion