Learning objectives
The student will acquire specific knowledge to independently design a flexible pavement, from the optimization of the mixture according to the layer function to design, to the calculation of the thickness of the entire structure, up to the planning and management of maintenance operations to allow the infrastructure to be functional throughout the design life. This knowledge is essential to operate and deal with public authorities and management companies in the field of design and maintenance of road infrastructure.
Prerequisites
There are no mandatory propaedeuticities but it is advisable to have attended the course of "roads, railways and airports" of the Bachelor degree
Course unit content
Advanced design methods for flexible pavement mixtures: mix design of stabilised soil mixtures for road embankments, mix design of asphalt mixtures using the Superpave method and the volumetric method.
Design methods and calculation of the flexible pavement superstructure: analysis of the tensional and deformation state of flexible pavements, AASHTO 2002 Design Guide method, Asphalt Institute method, MnPave method.
Management and maintenance of flexible pavements: functional characteristics of the pavements, data collection, intervention techniques for the pavement rehabilitation, scheduling and management of maintenance operations.
Full programme
The program is divided into 3 teaching modules:
Didactic module 1: Mixture design for flexible pavements
- Embankment: stabilization and mix design
- Asphalt mixtures - the Superpave method: classification, mix design, volumetric analysis and performance evaluations
- Materials for specific applications: modified asphalt, bituminous emulsions, foamed bitumen
Didactic module 2: Design of flexible pavements
- Stress-strain analysis of flexible pavements
- Analysis of design traffic
- The Asphalt Institute's method for pavement calculation
- The AASHTO method for pavement calculation
- The MnPave software
Didactic Module 3: Management and maintenance of flexible pavements
- Flexible pavement distresses
- Functional characteristics of the pavements
- Data collection and intervention techniques
- Scheduling of maintenance operations
- Recycling of asphalt pavements
Bibliography
All the material used during the lectures (presentations, exercises, Excel sheets) is made available to students on the Elly teaching platform and is adequate to pass the exam.
Handouts will also be provided for further details.
Texts for in-depth study:
Yang H. Huang, "Pavement Analysis and Design", Prentice Hall
M.Y. Shahin, "Pavement Management for airports, roads and parking lots," KAP.
Teaching methods
The course is divided into frontal theoretical lectures, practical exercises carried out by the lecturer and practical exercises assigned to students to be held in the class or independently outside the course hours. There will be some visits to the laboratory of "material and structure tests".
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam consists of an Oral Examination.
Students can also choose to perform optionally, in addition to the oral exam, an individual project relating the calculation of a flexible pavement including the mix design of materials and an evaluation of future maintenance operations.
The final evaluation will be divided as follows:
- Oral exam only (max 27/30)
Oral test: theoretical questions 60% (16/30), practical questions 40% (11/30).
- Oral exam mode + project (max 30/30)
Project development and discussion: 40% (12/30)
Oral test: theoretical questions 60% (18/30)
Other information
Course attendance is highly recommended.
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
The topic of flexible road pavements supports Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), improving infrastructure quality and promoting technological innovation. Their durability and maintenance capacity reduce the need for frequent repairs, minimizing environmental impact and supporting Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), ensuring durable and resilient infrastructure.
Additionally, the use of recycled materials and sustainable construction techniques for flexible road pavements can contribute to Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), promoting resource efficiency and waste reduction.
