Plant diseases are a significant threat to global food security, impacting crop yields and economic growth. Accurate identification of plant diseases is crucial to minimize crop loses and optimize plant health. Traditionally, plant classification is performed manually, relying on the expertise of the classifier. However, recent advancements in deep learning techniques have enabled the creation of efficient crop classification systems using computer technology. In this context, this paper proposes an automatic plant identification process based on a synthetic neural network with the ability to detect images of plant leaves. The trained model EfficientNet-B3 was used to achieve a high success rate of 98.80% in identifying the corresponding combination of plant and disease. To make the system user-friendly, an Android application and website were developed, which allowed farmers and users to easily detect diseases from the leaves. In addition, the paper discusses the transfer method for studying various plant diseases, and images were captured using a drone or a smartphone camera. The ultimate goal is to create a user-friendly leaf disease product that can work with mobile and drone cameras. The proposed system provides a powerful tool for rapid and efficient plant disease identification, which can aid farmers of all levels of experience in making informed decisions about the use of chemical pesticides and optimizing plant health.

The durability of asphalt pavements is crucial for sustainable road infrastructures. This systematic review compares the Marshall and Superpave asphalt mix design protocols, with a particular focus on the integration of polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) and rejuvenators. Although the Marshall method remains widely used for its simplicity and cost-efficiency, its empirical basis limits its effectiveness to meet modern pavement performance demands. In contrast, the Superpave system offers improved resistance to rutting, longer fatigue life, and better mitigation of moisture damage. The review traces the evolution of asphalt mix design, identifies current challenges, and emphasizes the need for transitioning toward performance-based frameworks. Special attention is given to the incorporation of polymers such as Styrene–Butadiene–Styrene (SBS), Styrene–Butadiene–Rubber (SBR), and Polyethylene (PE), which significantly enhance the mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures. The role of rejuvenators in restoring aged binders and enabling pavement recycling is also examined. Finally, the manuscript provides strategic recommendations for adopting Superpave to enhance pavement durability and reduce lifecycle maintenance costs. Overall, this comprehensive review advances knowledge on asphalt mix design, fostering innovation and sustainability while promoting long-term resilience in road pavement infrastructures.

Achieving sustainable pavement construction through high-content Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) is a critical industry goal, but its implementation is frequently challenged by the reduced mechanical performance and durability inherent in such mixtures. This study evaluates the performance of semi-rigid pavements with RAP from 0% to 100%, a chemical rejuvenator, and four novel cementitious grout formulations (G1–G4). A comprehensive experimental program examined compressive strength, flexural strength, rutting resistance, fatigue life, and moisture sensitivity. Statistical analysis revealed that increasing RAP content significantly reduced all performance metrics. However, the primary innovation of this work lies in identifying strong interaction effects between key variables. The chemical rejuvenator effectively mitigated performance losses, with its benefits most pronounced at higher RAP contents (p ≤ 0.003). Among the Gi types, G3, containing a proprietary high-reactivity mineral additive, consistently achieved superior results; for instance, the R100-J-G3 regained over 70% strength of the virgin control mix (R0-NJ-G3). Notably, the interaction between RAP content and grout type (p ≤ 0.015) revealed that G3’s performance increased with RAP content, demonstrating its pivotal role in enabling technically viable 100% RAP mixtures. These findings underscore that the successful use of high-content RAP depends not just on individual components but on the optimized synergy between rejuvenator and grout selection, offering a validated pathway for technically viable pavements containing 100% RAP, reducing reliance on virgin materials and lowering environmental impact.

Fillers (<0.075 mm) in hot mix asphalt (HMA) play a pivotal role in optimizing bitumen content, filling voids, and improving mechanical performance. In many agricultural countries, large quantities of rice and wheat husk waste are produced, while the road construction industry faces material shortages of conventional filler materials and related performance challenges. This study evaluates the feasibility of using rice husk (RH) and wheat husk (WH) fillers on HMA performance. Unlike previous studies that primarily focused on ash-derived agricultural residues, this work investigates the direct utilization of raw husk materials, eliminating the need for energy-intensive processing. Few studies directly examine the aggregate gradation and binder concentration with respect to rice and wheat husk ash. As a result, the relative effectiveness of these two agricultural waste fillers in improving the volumetric and Marshall properties of asphalt mixtures is yet unknown. Fifteen mixtures with varying bitumen contents (3.0–5.0%) were tested to determine the optimum bitumen content (OBC). Subsequently, modified mixtures were prepared at the OBC using RH and WH fillers at five replacement levels (5.0–15.0%). The Marshall Mix design method was employed to assess stability, flow, density, and air voids content. The control mixture showed a Marshall stability of 14.86 kN, flow of 3.52 mm, density of 2.342 g/cm³, and air voids of 2.9%. At their optimum filler contents (i.e., 10.33% for RH and 10.43% for WH), the modified mixtures achieved higher Marshall stability (14.96 kN and 15.06 kN, respectively), with flow values of 3.51 mm and 2.83 mm, and densities of 2.335 g/cm³ and 2.330 g/cm³. Statistical analysis using ANOVA at the OBC confirmed that RH and WH fillers can be used as alternative fillers in HMA without adversely affecting Marshall performance, while contributing to agricultural waste valorization and resource conservation.