About this Research Topic

Background

Balanced Mix Design (BMD) represents a transformative and forward-looking approach in asphalt pavement engineering, designed to achieve an optimal balance between resistance to rutting and cracking. In contrast to traditional mix design methods that predominantly focus on volumetric properties, BMD incorporates performance-based testing at the design stage. This approach allows engineers to tailor asphalt mixes to meet the specific demands of traffic loads, environmental conditions, and the need for long-term pavement durability.

In the face of growing environmental concerns and the need for sustainable development, this special issue also emphasizes the importance of BMD in minimizing environmental impacts. By optimizing mix properties and incorporating advanced testing methodologies, BMD has the potential to reduce raw material usage, promote recycling of reclaimed asphalt, and lower greenhouse gas emissions during pavement construction and maintenance.

This special issue aims to explore not only the latest advancements, methodologies, and real-world applications of BMD but also its critical role in fostering sustainable practices in pavement engineering. It seeks to highlight how BMD’s inherent flexibility can lead to improvements in durability, cost-effectiveness, environmental performance, and adaptability to diverse conditions. Contributions that address challenges, case studies, regional adaptations, and environmental benefits are especially encouraged, with the aim of advancing best practices and fostering resilience in pavement infrastructure worldwide.

Topics of Interest:

• Advances in BMD methodologies and testing protocols: Development and validation of performance-based tests such as the IDEAL-CT test for cracking resistance and Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test (HWTT) for rutting resistance.

• Sustainability and environmental implications of BMD: Investigating how BMD can reduce carbon footprints, promote material recycling (e.g., reclaimed asphalt pavement), and lower resource consumption.

• Incorporation of performance-based testing in mix design optimization: Practical examples and guidelines for implementing BMD in projects.

• Case studies on the implementation of BMD: Insights into how BMD has been adapted to various climatic and traffic conditions, with a focus on durability and resilience.

• Comparative analysis of BMD and traditional mix design approaches: Benefits, limitations, and opportunities for widespread adoption.

• Life-cycle cost analysis of BMD: Economic and environmental trade-offs in the implementation of BMD.

• Challenges and solutions for regional adaptation: How geographic and environmental differences affect the application of BMD.

• Innovative modeling and simulation techniques: Exploring advanced tools for optimizing BMD properties, including numerical modeling and simulations.

• Integration of BMD with pavement management systems: Linking BMD with real-time data and performance monitoring systems.

• The role of digital technologies in advancing BMD: Applications of digital twins, machine learning, and data-driven methods to enhance mix design accuracy and predict pavement performance.

• Exploration of green technologies and materials: The potential for integrating bio-asphalt, low-carbon additives, and alternative binders into BMD practices.

Environmental Significance:

As global efforts to combat climate change intensify, the role of infrastructure development in environmental sustainability has never been more critical. Asphalt pavements, which constitute a significant portion of transportation networks worldwide, must evolve to meet the demands of sustainability and resilience. This special issue recognizes the pressing need to address the environmental challenges associated with pavement construction and maintenance by adopting innovative practices such as BMD.

This Special Issue aims to address the pressing need for resilient and environmentally responsible pavement solutions by advancing the methodologies, applications, and sustainability aspects of BMD. Recent innovations in performance-based tests, such as the IDEAL-CT for cracking resistance and the Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test (HWTT) for rutting resistance, have enhanced the precision and adaptability of BMD. Moreover, integrating advanced optimization techniques, such as Enhanced Principal Component Analysis (EPCA) and machine learning, has further refined the potential of BMD.

The goal is to explore how BMD can improve pavement performance, reduce costs, and lower environmental impact through innovative testing protocols, case studies, and life-cycle analyses. Contributions highlighting solutions to regional challenges, comparative evaluations against traditional methods, and the integration of green technologies and materials are particularly encouraged. This Research Topic seeks to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange, driving the adoption of BMD as a cornerstone of sustainable pavement engineering.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Balanced Mix Design (BMD), Asphalt Pavement, Sustainability in Pavement Design, Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), Life-Cycle Cost Analysis, Green Technologies in Asphalt, Performance-Based Testing, Pavement Durability, Material Recycling, Low-Carbon Asphalt Technologies

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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