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2020 Research Projects
The following student and staff projects were undertaken in 2020, either directly or in association with the APRP. Some of these projects are ongoing.
Reflection Cracking of Concrete Pavement Joints through Asphalt Overlays (ongoing)
Undertaken by Sahar Deilami (part‐time PhD student) under the supervision of Dr. Greg White and Associate Professor Christophe Gerber.
This project aims to develop a laboratory test machine and protocol for measuring the propagation rate of reflection cracks from concrete joints through asphalt overlays. Once developed, the test machine will enable the efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of different asphalt mixtures, strain alleviating membranes and geofabric interlayers to be objectively measured. Initial results are expected in 2021 and completion is expected in 2023.
Evaluation of marginal materials for foamed bitumen base course (ongoing)
Undertaken by Roberto Espinosa (Master of Science in Civil Engineering) under the supervision of Dr. Greg White and Dr. Adrian McCallum. The project considers the efficacy and efficiency of foamed bitumen stabilisation of marginal gravel materials. The general approach includes comparing marginal materials, improved by blending with RAP and other products, to a class A gravel. Improved performance associated with alternate foaming agents is also being considered. Outcomes will improve the understanding of this useful technology for regional and remote airports. Roberto completed his research in 2020 and some outcomes have been published. Well done Roberto.
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The University of the Sunshine Coast gratefully appreciates the support provided by:
Airport Pavement Research Program March 2021
Rise, and shine.
Introduction
Staffing In 2020, Finn Hall joined the
APRP as a part‐time research
student investigating waste
plastic modification of
bituminous binder for asphalt
production.
Finn is based in the UK and is completing
his work as an off‐campus international
student. Finn visited in early 2020 and
looks forward to returning in 2021.
Hudson Anstee also joined
the APRP in 2020, also as a
part‐time Masters research
student. Hudson’s research
is investigating proof rolling
and compacting granular
material in airport pavement construction.
Hudson is based in Melbourne and is also
researching in an off‐campus mode.
During 2020, both Tom Weir and Roberto
Espinosa completed their respective
Master of Science (Civil Engineering)
research. By coincidence, both Tom and
Roberto were research aspects of foamed
bitumen stabilisation technology. Both
officially graduated in March 2021.
Congratulations to both Tom and Roberto.
AIRPORT PAVEMENT RESEARCH PROGRAM | March 2021 university of the sunshine coast | cricos provider number: 01595d
Predicting age‐related asphalt erosion and ravelling for airport asphalt mixtures
Undertaken by Ahmed Abouelsaad (PhD student) on scholarship under the supervision of Dr. Greg White and Dr. Adrian McCallum.
This project will investigate theoretical modelling and laboratory testing of asphalt ravelling, the primary distress triggering runway resurfacing when major distresses (such as severe cracking and groove closure) are avoided. The outcome is expected to provide an objective basis for comparing different asphalt mixtures on the basis of relative erosion and ravelling resistance. Ahmed is full‐time and the findings of this project are expected to
become available from 2020 to 2022.
Load transfer and joint stiffness for rigid airport pavements
Undertaken by Sean Jamieson (part‐time PhD student) under the supervision of Dr. Greg White and Dr. Ali Jamshidi.
This project investigates jointing systems in rigid airport pavements
and the factors that affect joint stiffness and load transfer. This
will enable a better understanding of joint function and whether
current Australian jointing practices are as effective and efficient as
they can be. Outcomes are expected to be published from 2021
and completion is expected around 2025.
Recycled waste plastic modification of asphalt binder as a mature technology
Undertaken by Finn Hall (Master of Science in Civil Engineering) under the supervision of Dr. Greg White and Dr. Adrian McCallum.
Although significant work has been undertaken to show the
improvement in the engineering properties of binders and asphalt
mixtures modified with waste plastic, there remains questions
regarding the long‐term performance, whether wet mixing or dry
mixing is preferable, as well as a range of environmental and safety
questions. This project aims to address these issues as well as
demonstrating a micro‐circular economy via a real life case study
where this technology is being applied.
Compaction and proving granular layers in airfield pavement construction
Undertaken by Hudson Anstee (Master of Science in Civil Engineering) under the supervision of Dr. Greg White and Dr. Adrian McCallum.
This project aims to address the gaps in compacting and proving
granular layers for flexible airport pavement construction that
were created by the downgrading of the heavy roller fleet, as well
as by the ever‐increasing wheel loads and tyre pressures associated
with modern aircraft. The project will quantify the current size of
the compaction/proving gap, potential approaches to reducing or
closing the gap and will combine field trials with theoretical
modelling of roller compactive effort at depth, focusing on
vibrating and impact rollers that claim to have similar compactive
effort but with a much smaller roller. Outcomes are expected in
2021 and 2022.
Estimating the replacement value and maintenance cost of Australian airport pavements
Undertaken by Jacob Farrelly (undergraduate civil engineering student) under the supervision of Dr. Greg White. This project quantifies the physical area of rigid and flexible aircraft
pavement assets across Australia’s 350 (or so) paved and registered
airfields, ranging in size from Sydney to Bourke, using GIS‐based
tools. Based on typical using aircraft and subgrade conditions, the
thickness and cost of the airport pavement asset base will be
estimated. Finally, the depreciation cost and maintenance burden
associated with Australia’s airport pavements will be estimated. The
output will assist engineers and assets owners to seek support for
research, development and maintenance funding.
Using construction records to estimate the real strength of aircraft pavements
Undertaken by Rodrigo Lourenco (undergraduate civil engineering student) under the supervision of Dr. Greg White. This project will determine the realistic post‐construction strength of
the new Sunshine Coast airport runway pavement based on actual
construction data. This will be compared to the designed strength of
the pavement using stochastic inputs and Monte Carlo simulations.
The output will show that pavements are designed conservatively
and are often built with significantly greater strength than was
intended by the design.
Modelling the mid term friction evolution of runways
Undertaken by Jonard Erro (undergraduate civil engineering student) under the supervision of Dr. Greg White. This project develops a generic evolution of runway friction over the medium term of the 10‐12 year expected life of an asphalt runway surface. Friction survey data was obtained from various airports, where it has been collected multiple times per year over many years, and trends within airports and across airports are investigated. The output helps airports to better understand and manage runway friction over the life cycle of their asphalt runway surfaces.
AIRPORT PAVEMENT RESEARCH PROGRAM | March 2021 university of the sunshine coast | cricos provider number: 01595d
Pilot project verification of stone mastic asphalt as an ungrooved runway surface
Undertaken by Dr. Greg White. Following the development of a specification for stone mastic as an
ungrooved runway surface material, this project aims to verify the
performance of stone mastic from the pilot project at Emerald
airport which was resurfaced in late 2019. The construction quality
records, visual condition evaluation and ongoing surface
texture/friction testing will allow the efficacy of ungrooved stone
mastic to be compared to grooved dense graded asphalt as a
runway surface for the future. Comparative costs, risks and
construction limitations will also be considered.
Comparing different measures of asphalt modulus
Undertaken by Dr. Ali Jamshidi. This project aims to mine the data from various previous projects
where different measures of modulus have been measured in
order to develop general relationships between the different test
methods. The developed relationships will be compared to
theoretical and published conversions to determine their efficacy.
A reliable conversion would allow designers to characterise asphalt
modulus by the most convenient test method, rather than one that
best replicates in‐service loading conditions.
Theoretical comparison of more sustainable airport asphalt mixtures
Undertake by Demi Van Den Heuvel, a CPEE Master of Pavements student completing an industry research project under the supervision of Dr. Greg White. This project compared the theoretical financial, social and
environment cost/benefit associated with the incorporation of
recycled plastic, recycled asphalt, crumb tyre rubber and crushed
recycled glass in asphalt mixtures. The triple bottom line was used
to combine the costs, resulting in a weighted combined or total
cost. The outcome will be published in 2021.
Synthetic and epoxy modified binders for airport asphalt production
Undertaken by Dr. Ali Jamshidi
A detailed desk‐top review as a first‐cut screen of the potential to
modify or replace bitumen in asphalt production with a synthetic or
epoxy‐type material. The potential is a surface that lasts 40 years
and it not affected by fuel or high temperatures. The challenges
include the high cost of the epoxy materials, as well as the logistics
and construction risks associated with products that chemically cure
and can’t be softened by reheating.
Industry support and representation In additional to APRP research and projects, USC APRP staff and students also supported and represented the
Australian airport industry through a range of initiatives during 2020, including:
Prepared draft Pavement Strength and Runway Skid Resistance Advisory Circulars for CASA, associated with the release of the new MOS 139.
Member and Secretary of the AAA PWG throughout 2020, including telecons and meetings.
Attended the online ICAO Airport Pavement Expert Group meeting in, October 2020.
AAA Webinar Stone Mastic Asphalt as an Ungrooved Runway Surface, June 2020.
Revised Airport Practice Note 12: Airfield Pavement Essentials, to address the new MOS 139 and to incorporate the Supplemental chapter on rural, regional and remote airfields.
Facilitated an Airport Sprayed Sealing Specification, published by AAPA in September 2020.
2021 research underway In additional to the continuation of 2020 research
projects, new projects for 2021 include:
Sustainable airport pavements. Completed as a PhD under scholarship, providing an app‐based calculator of the social, financial and environmental cost of options.
Crumbed rubber modified bitumen for asphalt surface anti‐ageing. A Masters research project undertaken by Andy Kidd.
Comparison of bituminous pavement surfaces for regional airports. Undertaken by Dr. Greg White and considering thin asphalt, sprayed seals and microsurfacing.
Asphalt preservation trials. Undertaken by Dr. Greg White, with the assistance of the Department of Defence, considering various product types.
Simulating arctic snow sintering in a freezer trailer. A final year engineering project to replicate arctic snow in a trailer mounted freezer on the Sunshine Coast.
Better waste plastic modified bitumen storage stability. Undertaken by Dr. Ali Jamshidi, considering chemicals called RET and PPA to reduce segregation risk during hot transportation.
AIRPORT PAVEMENT RESEARCH PROGRAM | March 2021 university of the sunshine coast | cricos provider number: 01595d
Research publications
The following papers and articles were published in 2020. All publications and associated student theses are
available from the USC APRP output repository, access here.
Research Theses Jamieson, S. 2019, Stone Mastic Asphalt for Australian Airport Pavements, a thesis for the award of Master of Science (Civil Engineering), School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia. Weir, T. 2020, Experimental Investigation of the Influence of Production Processes and Curing on Foamed Bitumen Stabilised Base Course Materials, a thesis for the award of Master of Science (Civil Engineering), School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia. Espinosa, R. 2020, Laboratory Evaluation of Marginal Materials for Foamed Bitumen Stabilsiation, a thesis for the award of Master of Science (Civil Engineering), School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia.
Journal articles White, G. 2020, ‘A synthesis of the effects of two commercial recycled plastics on the properties of bitumen and asphalt’, Sustainability, vol. 12, no. 8594, pp. 1‐20. White, G & Espinosa, R 2020, ‘Laboratory Evaluation of Gradation Improvement of Marginal Materials for Foamed Bitumen Stabilization’, Applied Sciences, vol. 10, no. 4224, pp. 1‐13.
White, G & Almutairi, H 2020 ‘Laboratory and field performance comparison of dense graded and stone mastic asphalt as a runway surface’, International Journal of Pavement Engineering, article‐in‐press. Deilami, S & White, G 2020, ‘Review of reflective cracking in composite pavements’, International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology, no. 13, pp. 524–535. White, G 2020, ‘Stochastic strength rating of flexible airport pavements using construction data’, International Journal of Pavement Engineering, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 537‐548. Jamieson, S & White, G 2020, ‘Review of stone mastic asphalt as a high performance ungrooved runway surfacing’, Road Materials and Pavement Design, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 886‐905. Jamshidi, A & White, G 2020, ‘Evaluation of performance of challenges of use of waste materials in pavement construction: a critical review’, Applied Sciences, vol. 10, no. 226, pp. 1‐13. White, G 2020, ‘Incorporating binder type into fatigue life characterisation of airport pavement surfaces’, International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology, no. 13, pp. 40‐47.
Conference papers
White, G & Jamshidi, A, 2020, ‘Extending the use of RAP in airport asphalt resurfacing’, RILEM International Symposium on Bituminous Materials, Lyon France, 14‐16 December. Weir, T & White, G 2020, ‘Comparing laboratory curing and in‐pavement curing of a foamed bitumen stabilized base course material’, RILEM International Symposium on Bituminous Materials, Lyon France, 14‐16 December. Weir, T & White, G 2020, ‘Laboratory comparison of in‐situ, ex‐situ and laboratory produced foamed bitumen stabilized base’, RILEM International Symposium on Bituminous Materials, Lyon France, 14‐16 December. Jamshidi, A & White, G 2020, ‘Comparing compressive and flexural dynamic asphalt modulus by statistical and neural network modelling’, RILEM International Symposium on Bituminous Materials, Lyon France, 14‐16 December.
AIRPORT PAVEMENT RESEARCH PROGRAM | March 2021 university of the sunshine coast | cricos provider number: 01595d
White, G & Hall, F 2020, ‘Comparing wet mixed and dry mixed binder modification with recycled waste plastic’, RILEM International Symposium on Bituminous Materials, Lyon France, 14‐16 December. Jamshidi, A & White, G 2020, ‘The challenges of warm mix asphalt as a nature technology’, 9th International Conference on Maintennce and Rehabilitation of Pavements, Zurich, Switzerland, 1‐3 July. Abouelsaad, A & White, G 2020, ‘Fretting and ravelling of asphalt surfaces for airport pavements: a load or environmental distress?’, Nineteenth Annual International Conference on Highways and Airport Pavement Engineering, Asphalt Technology, and Infrastructure, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom, 11‐12 March. White, G, Kelly, G, Fairweather, H & Jamshidi, A 2020, ‘Theoretical socio‐enviro‐financial cost analysis of equivalent flexible aircraft pavement structures’, 99th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, 12‐16 January.
More information The next USC APRP update will include the first half of 2021 and will be available in September 2021. For more information regarding the Airport Pavement Research Program, or to enquire about completing a post‐graduate research degree, please contact: Dr. Greg White Director, Airport Pavement Research Program, University of the Sunshine Coast [email protected] | +61 400 218 048
Future research initiatives Other research projects available in the future, as undergraduate projects, Masters by Research or PhD thesis include:
Analysis of different fine crushed rock base course materials using repeated load triaxial testing.
Asphalt construction joint density, testing, compliance and improvement.
The effect of different asset management strategies on a network of airfield pavements.
Developing a universal long term trend in runway friction for aircraft skid resistance.
Sustainable airport concrete mixtures by recycling existing concrete and other waste materials.
If you are interested in these projects, please contact Dr. Greg White on the details below.