Pavement Engineering Laboratory
Pavement Engineering
In the pavement engineering section, research is conducted into the properties of materials and structures used for roads and pavements. Our facilities are equipped with a range of testing equipment and setups for static, dynamic and tri-axial testing of unbound materials, asphalt mixes, bitumen and other paving binders. Furthermore, we perform tests to analyse the physicochemical and rheological properties of materials using techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic shear rheology (DSR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), dynamic vapor sorption (DVS), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Our research focuses on gaining a better understanding of the material characteristics at different scales with the aim of developing sustainable and durable road infrastructure.
DVS Discovery
A noteworthy measuring system used in Pavement Engineering is the Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS). DVS is a measuring system that provides valuable insights into how materials interact with moisture, organic solvents and gases. The DVS can be used to investigate sorption kinetics, moisture diffusion coefficients, Tg and RH phase transitions, and sorption/desorption isotherms of various materials. This technique allows for a better understanding of material behavior in response to environmental conditions, making it an essential tool for characterizing and optimizing a wide range of materials used in various applications, from pharmaceuticals to construction materials.
Contact
- Laboratory technician Pavement: (M.v.Aggelen)
- Laboratory technician Pavement: (M.R.Poot)
- Head of Pavement Engineering section: (S.M.J.G.Erkens)
