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Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics
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Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 March 2023) | Viewed by 35632

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Fernanda Bessa Ferreira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: sustainable transportation infrastructure; reuse of waste materials; rail geotechnics; reinforcement of ballasted tracks; construction and demolition wastes; geosynthetic-reinforced structures; soil–geosynthetic interaction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent years have witnessed an increasing environmental awareness and the recognition of the importance of reducing waste generation and the consumption of non-renewable natural resources. The design and construction of transport infrastructure can significantly contribute to overall sustainable development by adopting sustainable practices, such as the use of alternative, environmentally friendly materials and the reuse of waste materials, leading to a substantial reduction in the carbon footprint of such infrastructure projects.

This Special Issue of Sustainability welcomes original research papers addressing the development of innovative and sustainable approaches in geotechnical design, construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of transport infrastructure, with special reference to the use of recycled waste materials and geosynthetics. Submissions reporting laboratory, field and numerical studies are encouraged, as well as case studies describing original work on the topic.

The purpose of this Special Issue is therefore to act as a platform for researchers and practitioners to share the latest research advances and emerging technologies in the field of transportation geotechnics, while promoting the use of sustainable approaches and the implementation of circular economy in the construction sector.

Dr. Fernanda Bessa Ferreira
Guest Editor

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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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 development
  • transport infrastructure
  • geotechnics
  • recycled waste materials
  • geosynthetics
  • pavements
  • railway tracks
  • harbour facilities
  • airfields
  • underground structures
  • laboratory and field testing
  • numerical modelling
  • circular economy
  • construction industry

Published Papers (16 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 10516 KiB  
Article
Geosynthetic Solutions for Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure Development
by Chungsik Yoo
Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15772; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su152215772 - 09 Nov 2023
Viewed by 744
Abstract
Geosynthetic engineering has made significant advances during the past decade in the areas of manufacturing and practical applications. As a result, geosynthetics have become essential materials that facilitate construction, better improve short- and long-term performance, and reduce long-term maintenance costs in routine civil [...] Read more.
Geosynthetic engineering has made significant advances during the past decade in the areas of manufacturing and practical applications. As a result, geosynthetics have become essential materials that facilitate construction, better improve short- and long-term performance, and reduce long-term maintenance costs in routine civil engineering projects. Geosynthetics are also being recognized as fundamental to sustainable infrastructure development as they reduce the carbon footprint generated by infrastructure development by minimizing the use of natural construction materials. Creative use of geosynthetics in geo-engineering practices is expected to continue to expand as innovative materials and products are becoming available. In this paper, we begin by discussing issues related to climate change. The sustainable benefits of geosynthetics are then presented by demonstrating the potential of geosynthetics to significantly reduce carbon footprints compared to traditional solutions. Finally, recent geosynthetic technologies have been introduced for use in transportation infrastructure. The pathway forward of the geosynthetic technology is also discussed from the view of sustainable infrastructure development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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15 pages, 6362 KiB  
Article
Emulsion Mixtures of Fractionated Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement and Quarry By-Products: A Laboratory Evaluation
by Syed Faizan Husain, Issam I. A. Qamhia, Abhilash Vyas, Renan Santos Maia, Erol Tutumluer and Ramez Hajj
Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10735; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su151310735 - 07 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1522
Abstract
Emulsion aggregate mixtures (EAMs) are aggregate blends stabilized with an asphalt emulsion for pavement base layer applications. These are typically prepared using crushed aggregates and designed primarily using a tensile strength-based criteria. Advances in granular material testing technologies have led to the development [...] Read more.
Emulsion aggregate mixtures (EAMs) are aggregate blends stabilized with an asphalt emulsion for pavement base layer applications. These are typically prepared using crushed aggregates and designed primarily using a tensile strength-based criteria. Advances in granular material testing technologies have led to the development of advanced resilient response characterization devices such as the University of Illinois FastCell (UI-FastCell). Simultaneously, fractionated reclaimed asphalt pavement (FRAP) and Quarry by-product (QB) materials are becoming increasingly common in pavement construction. This paper evaluates the inclusion of QB and FRAP in EAMs. First, the design of selected EAMs was performed using a combined Asphalt Academy TG2 and Anderson and Thompson mixture design approach. The selected mixtures were first assessed for Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) and Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) to track changes in both strength and moisture damage resistance with the inclusion of FRAP and QB. In addition, advanced anisotropic resilient characterization was performed using the UI-FastCell to assess the changes in resilient modulus and permanent deformation characteristics. Our results show significant enhancements in tensile strength, increased moisture damage resistance, and reduced permanent deformation with the inclusion of FRAP and QB materials in EAMs. The combined inclusion of 30% FRAP and 70% QB negatively affected the resilient response of the EAM; however, the inclusion of FRAP content to 50% with no QB materials improved its suitability for pavement base layer application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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22 pages, 7401 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Construction and Demolition Waste and Other Alternative Fills for Strip-Reinforced Soil Walls
by Luis Alonso González Corrales, Rodrigo Cesar Pierozan, Gregório Luís Silva Araújo and Ennio Marques Palmeira
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9705; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15129705 - 17 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1218
Abstract
This article assesses the pullout performance of ribbed metallic strips embedded in fill soils that do not conform to conventional design criteria for mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls. These alternative fill soils include gravelly and sandy recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste, [...] Read more.
This article assesses the pullout performance of ribbed metallic strips embedded in fill soils that do not conform to conventional design criteria for mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls. These alternative fill soils include gravelly and sandy recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste, artificial and natural sands, and fine-grained lateritic soil. The research included soil characterization tests and large-scale pullout tests, conducted as part of this study. The results showed that the reinforcement pullout behavior was similar for recycled, artificial, and natural sands, indicating that soil particle size played a crucial role in mobilizing the interface pullout resistance. However, in the case of recycled sand, stress concentration at the reinforcement level led to particle crushing during pullout conditions, causing this material to exhibit less efficient performance compared to other sands. The fine-grained lateritic soil demonstrated inferior behavior compared to sandy soils, despite the interparticle bonding provided by the sesquioxide coating characteristic of intensely weathered tropical soils. Finally, an analytical prediction tool based on experimental results was developed, providing an alternative method to make conjectures about the performance of different soils during the pre-design stages, particularly based on particle size attributes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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26 pages, 2963 KiB  
Article
Use of Recycled Construction and Demolition Waste (RCDW) in Geosynthetic-Reinforced Roadways: Influence of Saturation Condition on Geogrid Mechanical Properties
by Gabriel R. Silvestre, Mateus P. Fleury, Jefferson Lins da Silva and Eder C. G. Santos
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9663; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15129663 - 16 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1093
Abstract
Replacing natural aggregates in infrastructure with recycled construction and demolition waste (RCDW) works helps to meet the requirements established by sustainable development. This environmentally friendly proposal undoubtedly becomes better when it is carried out with geosynthetics, providing better technical performance and positive economic [...] Read more.
Replacing natural aggregates in infrastructure with recycled construction and demolition waste (RCDW) works helps to meet the requirements established by sustainable development. This environmentally friendly proposal undoubtedly becomes better when it is carried out with geosynthetics, providing better technical performance and positive economic impacts. However, the chemical characteristics of RCDW may result in the degradation of the geosynthetics and, therefore, must be assessed and quantified. This study aims to assess the chemical degradation caused by RCDW for the mechanical properties of two types of polymeric geogrids (polyester and polyvinyl alcohol). The study evaluates the influence of the RCDW saturation condition in the chemical degradation and the possible synergism between the launching damage (drop height) and chemical degradation. Watertight tanks were constructed to maintain the geosynthetic reinforced layers in flooded, dry and open-to-environment conditions, simulating paved and unpaved roads. The occurrence of degradation was evaluated and quantified by reduction factors related to the properties of interest using statistical analysis. The results have shown a significant influence of chemical degradation on the geogrid characteristics (especially tensile strength and secant tensile stiffness), which increased when the specimens were subjected to prior launching process simulation. The reduction factor values reported herein encourage the combined use of these materials (geogrid and RCDW) and highlight the importance of assessing the chemical degradation for the design purposes of geosynthetic-reinforced roadways with alternative materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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24 pages, 4842 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Performance Assessment of a Geosynthetic-Reinforced Railway Substructure
by Ahmet F. Esen, Peter K. Woodward, Omar Laghrouche and David P. Connolly
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9364; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15129364 - 09 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1079
Abstract
Significant savings in carbon emissions, cost, and time could be achieved via the reduction in maintenance frequency, capital costs of track construction, and land used. Geosynthetic-reinforced soils offer such sustainable solutions. The experimental work presented in this paper investigates the long-term performance of [...] Read more.
Significant savings in carbon emissions, cost, and time could be achieved via the reduction in maintenance frequency, capital costs of track construction, and land used. Geosynthetic-reinforced soils offer such sustainable solutions. The experimental work presented in this paper investigates the long-term performance of a Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil Retaining Wall (GRS-RW) system as an alternative to the conventional railway embankment. Full-scale testing was carried out on three sleeper sections of ballasted and slab tracks by simulating train loads cyclically, phased to 360 km/h. The tracks were supported by either a low-level fully confined conventional embankment or a GRS-RW substructure. The substructures were formed of a 1.2 m deep subgrade and frost protection layer, in accordance with high-speed railway design standards. The overall aim was to assess the performance of the tracks, in terms of transient displacements and total settlements. It was observed that once the GRS-RW system reached its active state, it deformed in a very similar way to a conventional embankment despite the fact that the GRS-RW system is less confined than the conventional embankment. The results indicate that the cumulative settlement of the slab track, which is due to the plastic deformation of the soil, is significantly less than that of the ballasted track, which is primarily caused by the movement of the ballast particles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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24 pages, 12319 KiB  
Article
An Analysis of Dynamics of Retaining Wall Supported Embankments: Towards More Sustainable Railway Designs
by Guishuai Feng, Qiang Luo, Pengju Lyu, David P. Connolly and Tengfei Wang
Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 7984; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15107984 - 13 May 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1662
Abstract
Retaining walls are structures used to retain earth materials on a slope. Typically, they are designed for static loads, but for highway and railway infrastructures, vehicle-induced dynamic responses are also relevant. Therefore, retaining wall structures are often designed with a factor of safety [...] Read more.
Retaining walls are structures used to retain earth materials on a slope. Typically, they are designed for static loads, but for highway and railway infrastructures, vehicle-induced dynamic responses are also relevant. Therefore, retaining wall structures are often designed with a factor of safety that is higher than necessary, because it can be challenging to quantify the magnitude of expected dynamic stresses during the design stage. This unnecessary increase in material usage reduces the sustainability of the infrastructures. To improve railway retaining wall sustainability, this paper presents the results from a field monitoring campaign on a heavy-haul rail line with a retaining wall, studying the dynamics induced in response to 30-ton axle load trains running at speeds of between 5 km/h and 100 km/h. The site comprises an earth embankment supported by a gravity retaining wall, with accelerometers on the sleepers, roadbed surface, and retaining wall, velocity sensors on the roadbed, and strain gauges on the rail web to record wheel–rail forces. The vibration intensities collected from various locations are processed to explore the peak particle velocities, maximum transient vibration values, and one-third octave band spectrums. Two transfer functions define the vibration transmission characteristics and attenuation of vibration amplitude along the propagation path. The long-term dynamic stability of the track formation is studied using dynamic shear strain derived from the effective velocity. The peaks of observed contact forces and vibrations are statistically analyzed to assess the impact of train speed on the dynamic behavior of the infrastructure system. Next, a 3D numerical model expresses the maximum stress and displacements on the roadbed surface as a function of train speed. The model evaluates the earth pressures at rest and vehicle-induced additional earth pressures and horizontal wall movement. The investigation provides new insights into the behavior of railway track retaining walls under train loading, and the field data are freely available for other researchers to download. The findings could facilitate the design of more sustainable retaining walls in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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16 pages, 4850 KiB  
Article
Track-Index-Guided Sustainable Off-Road Operations Using Visual Analytics, Image Intelligence and Optimal Delineation of Track Features
by Manoj Kumar Kalra, Sanjay Kumar Shukla and Ashutosh Trivedi
Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 7914; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15107914 - 11 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1398
Abstract
Visual-analytics-guided systems are replacing human efforts today. In many applications, movement in off-road terrain is required. Considering the need to negotiate various soft ground and desertic conditions, the beaten tracks of leading vehicles considered to be safe and suitable for guiding are used [...] Read more.
Visual-analytics-guided systems are replacing human efforts today. In many applications, movement in off-road terrain is required. Considering the need to negotiate various soft ground and desertic conditions, the beaten tracks of leading vehicles considered to be safe and suitable for guiding are used in such operations. During night, often, these tracks pass through low-contrast conditions posing difficulty in their identification. The maximization of track contrast is therefore desired. Many contrast enhancement techniques exist but their effectiveness varies as per the surrounding. Other than conventional techniques, the role of texture too becomes important for enhancing the differentiable track contrast. Gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM)-based statistic measures are used here to evaluate the track texture. These measures are seen to improve the contrast of vehicle tracks significantly. A track-index-based technique is proposed to sort various images as per their effectiveness in increasing the track contrast. Different forms of track indices are proposed and compared. The proposed track index is seen as effective in sorting 88.8% of contrast images correctly. The proposed technique of creating and sorting images based on the contrast level is seen as a useful tool for improved fidelity in many difficult situations for making the off-road operations sustainable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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18 pages, 8438 KiB  
Article
Influence of Type of Sleeper–Ballast Interface on the Shear Behaviour of Railway Ballast: An Experimental and Numerical Study
by Sinniah Karuppiah Navaratnarajah, Henpita Gamage Sushan Mayuranga and Somasundaraiyer Venuja
Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16384; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su142416384 - 07 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2110
Abstract
The shear resistance at the sleeper–ballast interface of a ballasted track is an important contributor in maintaining track stability under faster and heavier axle loads where the ballast undergoes significant lateral sliding. Different types of sleeper–ballast interfaces based on the type of sleeper [...] Read more.
The shear resistance at the sleeper–ballast interface of a ballasted track is an important contributor in maintaining track stability under faster and heavier axle loads where the ballast undergoes significant lateral sliding. Different types of sleeper–ballast interfaces based on the type of sleeper arrangements, such as concrete sleepers, timber sleepers, and under sleeper pads (USPs) attached to the concrete sleepers influence the lateral stability of railway tracks. Therefore, in this study the shear and degradation behaviour of ballast at concrete–ballast, timber–ballast, and USP–ballast interfaces were examined in the laboratory using large-scale direct shear tests under 60 kPa normal stress. The use of waste materials in the construction of civil infrastructure is gaining a lot of interest in the engineering community. Therefore, in addition to commercial USPs manufactured using raw materials, recycled USPs manufactured from granulates of end-of-life rubber tyres were also tested in this study. The discrete element modelling (DEM) approach was used to predict the shear behaviour of ballast at 30, 90, 120, 150, and 180 kPa normal stresses. The bonded particle model (BPM) was adopted in the DEM to simulate the effects of particle breakage during shearing. The results exhibited that both commercial and recycled USPs significantly improve the shear resistance at the sleeper–ballast interface while reducing particle degradation compared to concrete and timber sleeper interfaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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24 pages, 9211 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Applications of Tyre-Derived Aggregates for Railway Transportation Infrastructure
by Mohammad Adnan Farooq, Sanjay Nimbalkar and Behzad Fatahi
Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11715; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141811715 - 18 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2261
Abstract
Scrap tyres are used to produce tyre-derived aggregates (TDA), which can be used as fill material, backfill material, drainage layers, and vibration-damping material, among other uses. This study presents a comprehensive review of TDA applications in civil engineering with a specific focus on [...] Read more.
Scrap tyres are used to produce tyre-derived aggregates (TDA), which can be used as fill material, backfill material, drainage layers, and vibration-damping material, among other uses. This study presents a comprehensive review of TDA applications in civil engineering with a specific focus on railway projects. A review of the existing literature reveals the lack of sufficient knowledge on the use of TDA in slab tracks. This article also analyses the adequacy of different constitutive models to properly simulate the performance of TDA while highlighting the importance of adopting the most suitable constitutive model. The variations in shear stresses and displacements with depth below ballasted and slab tracks in the presence and absence of TDA are discussed. It is shown that TDA effectively reduces the shear stresses for the subgrade layer of both track types. Moreover, the impact of TDA on stress transfer in the vertical and lateral track directions is assessed. The findings from the present analysis reveal that TDA helps in reducing the vertical and lateral stresses near its placement position in ballasted and slab tracks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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16 pages, 5338 KiB  
Article
Study on Interface Interaction between Uniaxial Geogrid Reinforcement and Soil Based on Tensile and Pull-Out Tests
by Xiaoguang Cai, Jiayu Feng, Sihan Li, Honglu Xu, Weiwei Liu and Xin Huang
Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10386; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141610386 - 20 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1826
Abstract
The interaction between reinforcement and soil is a key problem in the application of geosynthetics as reinforcement in geotechnical engineering. In this study, tensile and pull-out tests on a uniaxial geogrid were carried out using self-designed tensile and pull-out test equipment. The tensile [...] Read more.
The interaction between reinforcement and soil is a key problem in the application of geosynthetics as reinforcement in geotechnical engineering. In this study, tensile and pull-out tests on a uniaxial geogrid were carried out using self-designed tensile and pull-out test equipment. The tensile test evaluated the tensile load–strain characteristics of a geogrid. Under the condition of lateral confinement, the tensile force and secant tensile stiffness of the geogrid increased with an increase in the normal stress when the strain was constant, and the secant tensile stiffness decreased with a decrease in the tensile rate. The stiffness coefficient was used to quantitatively describe the change in the stiffness of the reinforcement. Using the pull-out test, the variation laws of the pull-out force of the geogrid under different normal stresses and different longitudinal rib percentages were obtained. When the geogrid was broken, the pull-out force of the same type of geogrid was not significantly different under different normal stresses. With an increase in the longitudinal rib percentage, the pull-out force of the geogrid under the same normal stress gradually increased, and the apparent friction coefficient was obtained by analysis. The results of the apparent friction coefficient obtained by the analytical method in accordance with French specifications (NF P94-270-2020) are relatively safe compared to the experimental values. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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17 pages, 2722 KiB  
Article
Recycled Glass Blends with Recycled Concrete Aggregates in Sustainable Railway Geotechnics
by Mahdi Naeini, Alireza Mohammadinia, Arul Arulrajah and Suksun Horpibulsuk
Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2463; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13052463 - 25 Feb 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2484
Abstract
This research investigates the static and cyclic characteristics of recycled glass (RG) as a supplementary material with recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in the rail track capping layer. RG was blended by-weight with RCA in 10% increments up to 50% RG content. A performance-based [...] Read more.
This research investigates the static and cyclic characteristics of recycled glass (RG) as a supplementary material with recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in the rail track capping layer. RG was blended by-weight with RCA in 10% increments up to 50% RG content. A performance-based laboratory testing scheme was designed according to the field loading conditions of capping layers in rail tracks. Basic geotechnical properties of RG + RCA blends were evaluated through their particle size distribution, compaction properties, and California bearing ratio. Effect of flooding was assessed with one-dimensional static and cyclic compression tests. Multistage triaxial compression tests were performed to determine the effect of RG content on shear strength parameters. A new repeated loading triaxial testing protocol was introduced for railway capping layer materials to assess the stiffness of RG blends to cyclic loading. Long term performance of samples also was evaluated through multistage cyclic permanent deformation tests. The shakedown concept was used to assess the permanent deformation results of RG + RCA samples. Results indicated that RG can be used effectively as a supplementary geomaterial in construction of rail track substructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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Review

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20 pages, 6278 KiB  
Review
Evolution of Geocells as Sustainable Support to Transportation Infrastructure
by Aarya Krishna and Gali Madhavi Latha
Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11773; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su151511773 - 31 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1861
Abstract
Geocells, which are polymeric interconnected cells filled with soil, provide excellent support to loads through all-round confinement and a beam effect; hence, they are extensively used in various geotechnical applications such as embankments, foundations, pavements, slopes, railways, and reinforced earth (RE) walls. Although [...] Read more.
Geocells, which are polymeric interconnected cells filled with soil, provide excellent support to loads through all-round confinement and a beam effect; hence, they are extensively used in various geotechnical applications such as embankments, foundations, pavements, slopes, railways, and reinforced earth (RE) walls. Although the applications of geocells are studied extensively, their geometric and parametric evolution as a stable support to heavy loads receive less attention. The current versatile configuration of geocells has geometrically evolved after accounting for all the factors that give them optimum reinforcement efficiency. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of the geometric evolution of geocells in the context of transportation geotechnical engineering. Effects of shape, size, stiffness, and surface roughness of geocells, and properties of infill and native soils on the performance of geocells are compiled from the literature to get important design insights. The application of geocells in pavements is discussed, concluding that geocells improve the cyclic load carrying capacity and resilient characteristics of pavement, reduce rut depths, and increase traffic benefit ratio (TBR). Hence, geocells can be a sustainable alternative to natural materials in transportation infrastructure, with the added advantages of reduced carbon footprint and maintenance costs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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43 pages, 15250 KiB  
Review
Smart Geosynthetics and Prospects for Civil Infrastructure Monitoring: A Comprehensive and Critical Review
by Mohammadmahdi Abedi, Raul Fangueiro, António Gomes Correia and Javad Shayanfar
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9258; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15129258 - 08 Jun 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2266
Abstract
Civil infrastructure monitoring with the aim of early damage detection and acquiring the data required for urban management not only prevents sudden infrastructure collapse and increases service life and sustainability but also facilitates the management of smart cities including smart transportation sectors. In [...] Read more.
Civil infrastructure monitoring with the aim of early damage detection and acquiring the data required for urban management not only prevents sudden infrastructure collapse and increases service life and sustainability but also facilitates the management of smart cities including smart transportation sectors. In this context, smart geosynthetics can act as vital arteries for extracting and transmitting information about the states of the strain, stress, damage, deformation, and temperature of the systems into which they are incorporated in addition to their traditional infrastructural roles. This paper reviews the wide range of technologies, manufacturing techniques and processes, materials, and methods that have been used to date to develop smart geosynthetics to provide rational arguments on the current trends and utilise the operational trends as a guide for predicting what can be focused on in future researches. The various multifunctional geosynthetic applications and future challenges, as well as operational solutions, are also discussed and propounded to pave the way for developing applicable smart geosynthetics. This critical review will provide insight into the development of new smart geosynthetics with the contribution to civil engineering and construction industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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28 pages, 3290 KiB  
Review
A Literature Review on the Use of Recycled Construction and Demolition Materials in Unbound Pavement Applications
by Paulo Miguel Pereira and Castorina Silva Vieira
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13918; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su142113918 - 26 Oct 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5453
Abstract
The construction industry is one of the biggest sectors of economic activity in the European Union, consuming more energy and natural resources than any other industrial activity. Additionally, construction and demolition (C&D) waste is the most common waste produced throughout the European Union. [...] Read more.
The construction industry is one of the biggest sectors of economic activity in the European Union, consuming more energy and natural resources than any other industrial activity. Additionally, construction and demolition (C&D) waste is the most common waste produced throughout the European Union. A more efficient and effective use of natural resources and the attenuation of environmental impacts provoked by their extraction could be accomplished if correct construction and demolition waste management and recycling policies were implemented. The use of recycled C&D waste in road pavement layers is a solution with economic and environmental benefits that has been widely studied in recent decades. This paper provides a literature review on the relevant engineering properties of different types of recycled aggregates coming from C&D waste, a comparison with the properties of natural aggregates, and how these recycled aggregates perform in the long-term when used in unbound pavement applications. An analysis of the current status of C&D waste generation and recovery practices in the European Union is also presented. The aim of this review is to further encourage the use of recycled materials coming from C&D waste, particularly in unbound pavement applications, since, in general, research conducted worldwide has proven their good performance in the short and long-term. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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20 pages, 5539 KiB  
Review
Advancements in Geo-Inclusions for Ballasted Track: Constitutive Modelling and Numerical Analysis
by Yujie Qi, Buddhima Indraratna, Trung Ngo and Fernanda Bessa Ferreira
Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9048; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13169048 - 12 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2529
Abstract
This paper reviewed some salient features evolving through mathematical and numerical modelling of ballasted track components incorporating recycled rubber products. Firstly, a constitutive model based on the bounding surface concept was introduced to simulate the shear stress-strain response of waste mixtures (i.e., recycled [...] Read more.
This paper reviewed some salient features evolving through mathematical and numerical modelling of ballasted track components incorporating recycled rubber products. Firstly, a constitutive model based on the bounding surface concept was introduced to simulate the shear stress-strain response of waste mixtures (i.e., recycled rubber crumbs, coal wash, and steel furnace slag) used for the capping layer placed below the ballast medium, whereby the energy absorbing property resulting from the inclusion of different amounts of rubber has been captured. Subsequently, key research findings concerning the inclusion of recycled rubber mats on ballasted tracks for reduced particle degradation under cyclic loading were examined and discussed. Discrete element modelling (DEM) coupled with Finite element modelling (FEM) to micro-mechanically characterise ballast behaviour with and without rubber mats offers invaluable insight into real-life track operations. In particular, this coupled DEM-FEM model facilitates the exploration of micromechanical aspects of particle breakage, contact force distributions within the granular assembly, and the orientation of contacts during cyclic loading. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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22 pages, 7185 KiB  
Review
A Critical Review on the Performance of Pile-Supported Rail Embankments under Cyclic Loading: Numerical Modeling Approach
by A. S. M. Riyad, Fernanda Bessa Ferreira, Buddhima Indraratna and Trung Ngo
Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2509; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13052509 - 26 Feb 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3170
Abstract
Searching for economical and practical solutions to increase any transport substructure’s protection and stability is critical for ensuring the long-term viability and adequate load-bearing capacity. Piles are increasingly being used as an economical and environmentally sustainable solution to enhance the strength of soft [...] Read more.
Searching for economical and practical solutions to increase any transport substructure’s protection and stability is critical for ensuring the long-term viability and adequate load-bearing capacity. Piles are increasingly being used as an economical and environmentally sustainable solution to enhance the strength of soft subgrade soils on which embankments are raised. As per the available literature, there are two main strategies used to explain railway embankments’ performance: experimental approaches and numerical simulations on a broad scale. The purpose of this study is to examine the state-of-the-art literature on numerical modeling methods adopted to assess the performance of pile-supported rail embankments subjected to cyclic loading. The paper addresses the main results from various numerical methods to explain the appropriate mechanisms associated with the load deformation response. It also presents the key issues and drawbacks of these numerical methods concerning rail embankment development while outlining the specific shortcomings and research gaps relevant to enhanced future design and analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in Transport Infrastructure Geotechnics)
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