Nanotechnology is the term used to cover the design, construction, and utilization of structures with at least one dimension measured in nanometers. Compared with typical civil engineering structures, the two fields operate on hugely divergent dimensional scales. Nanotechnology initially developed in the fields of physics and chemistry, and most fundamental developments still occur in these fields. However, for the technology to affect society at large, it needs to be applied in areas such as the engineering field. This paper focuses specifically on current and potential developments in pavement engineering where the unique properties of nanomaterials may be used to deliver a better environment to society, based on identified needs and challenges in the pavement engineering field. It is demonstrated that there are essentially two areas where nanotechnology can complement pavement engineering. These are in the development of improved materials and the use of characterization methods to improve the understa...

Virtual replicas of infrastructure can be used to run simulations and optimize the construction, management, and maintenance of such assets throughout their entire lifecycle. These digital twins (defined as integrated multi-physics, multiscale, and probabilistic simulations of a complex product) mirror the behavior and environmental responses of its corresponding twin. Digital reconstruction techniques using optical sensor technologies and mobile sensor platforms are providing viable, low-cost alternatives to develop digital twins of physical infrastructure. In previous work, the digital twinning of asphalt pavement surfacings using visual simultaneous localization and mapping and the initiation of a digital twin of a local road network were investigated and successfully demonstrated. In this article, the further development of the concept, incorporating road surface temperatures collected over a 1-month period, as well as potential inferences based on these data, in the micro- and macro-twinning of a local road, are discussed. Light detection and ranging, unmanned aerial vehicles, and traffic counting artificial intelligence allows for quantification of the road geometry and infrastructure utilization over large areas (macro-twinning), whereas the photogrammetric reconstruction technique based on a neural network, a proprietary environmental condition sensor (SNOET, or SNiffing Omgewing / Environmental Tester) and commercial temperature sensors were used to acquire the surface texture and environmental conditions respectively (micro-twinning), as well as surface temperatures at four locations and different surfacing materials. The combination of advanced environmental monitoring data, physical data, and surface temperature data provide management data that can assist in the maintenance of such roads. This article expands (with the permission of the conference organizers) on a GeoChina 2021 article through the addition of further temperature data collected on the discussed digital twin, with substantial additional data analysis and discussion.

The fundamental shape attributes of aggregates used in pavements (i.e., form, angularity, and surface texture) have not been accurately quantified historically because of their irregular and nonideal shapes. This paper presents selected results from the use of a laser-based scanning technique to determine the form of aggregates employed in construction of pavements in South Africa. A three-dimensional (3-D) laser scanning system was used to examine aggregate materials from various sources, and the data were processed to reconstruct 3-D models of the aggregate particles. The models were further analyzed to determine the properties of the forms. Two analysis approaches based on physical properties of the aggregate and spherical harmonic analysis were employed to determine the form indices, and the results were compared. The indices based on the physical properties included (a) sphericity computed from the surface area and volume, (b) sphericity computed from three orthogonal dimensions, and (c) the flat-and-elongated ratio computed from the longest and shortest dimensions of an aggregate particle. Good correlations were observed between the form indices from the aggregate physical properties and the spherical harmonic form index. One conclusion of the research is that the laser scanning technique can be employed to quantify better the form properties of aggregate materials used in pavements.

“Nanotechnology” is the term used to cover the design, construction, and use of functional structures with at least one characteristic dimension measured in nanometers. Although the technology initially developed in the fields of electronics, physics, and chemistry, more recent developments emerged in the engineering field. The focus is on a specific potential application of nanotechnology in pavement engineering where the properties of nanophosphors are used to develop an autoluminescent pavement or structure. A brief background is provided on potential applications of nanotechnology in pavement engineering, followed by a discussion on the specific research conducted. Data obtained from scanning electron microscope images and luminescence measurements of typical infrastructure materials with nanophosphors embedded are shown and discussed. An example is demonstrated in which the application of nanotechnology in pavement engineering may potentially lead to the provision of a safer and more economical transportation experience to the traveling public. Some remaining challenges for the current project are discussed and conclusions are made, showing that nanotechnology can play a role in improving the understanding and service delivery in pavement engineering.