With rapid industrialisation, the infrastructure sector has seen exponential growth in prefabricated concrete elements due to their speedy construction and efficient usage of material. Precast concrete elements have thus observed some deterioration due to increased internal temperature as a result of rapid curing, and also through deliberate heat curing techniques. This has led to researchers in the past to study the effect of such curing conditions on the durability aspect of the binders, especially their impact on Delayed Ettringite Formation. Precast elements such as railway sleepers, exposed to in the humid environment were thus prone to internal sulphate attack and needs to be investigated. Use of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) as a substitution for binder content in conventional portland cement in the Netherlands has been prevalent since the early 1900s primarily because of its abundant resource from iron industry. The benefits of slag have been then exploited as it was one of the supplementary cementitious systems which along with being a sustainable solution, provides good resistance to environmental degradation such as chloride penetration resistance. However, their advantages surrounding extreme curing conditions have to be studied, unless used at optimised quantities. The research focused on the potential of blast furnace slag systems to undergo internal sulphate attack due to high internal temperatures. The simulation of high internal temperature was done through heat curing inside an oven following which continuous storage under lime solution was carried out in order to saturate the system. Slag systems at low and high substitution levels (20% & 50%) were used along with a combination of coarser and finer surface areas, to investigate their subsequent influence was chosen for the study. Also, since infrastructure industry adopts CEM II & CEM III-A cement type, where the former was low slag concentration with moderate fineness and the latter with higher substitution level of slag in combination with high overall fineness, their potentials for DEF have also been studied. For all the mixes, the influence of high curing temperature and exposure to moisture was studied through microstructural changes, pore size variations and mineralogical composition effect along with fineness on paste specimens. All studies were compared to reference systems of CEM I, which was observed to be the most detrimental due to DEF. Test results indicate that at lower substitution levels of slag secondary ettringite forms in significant quantities in neat systems along with traces of carbo-aluminate phases in the case of slag systems. Also, higher substitution levels does not appear to completely suppress the formation of ettringite after exposure. Its formation in both the cases showed more or less no influence of fineness of slag added, except in the case of pore size distribution. The significant presence of carbo-aluminates was observed in the case of all slag systems that could prove to be beneficial as they do not translate to deteriorative expansion.

Asphalt concrete is the most used material in road construction. Analysing the behaviour and properties of this material is vital for modern day society. Currently, this is mostly done in labs using actual asphalt mixtures. However, this is a very expensive and time consuming process. An upcoming alternative approach is the use of computational models. The finite (FEM) and discrete element methods (DEM) have been used in the past, but both of these have shown significant disadvantages regarding the modelling of discrete particle movement and shape, respectively. An upcoming alternative is the use of physics engines, such as Bullet Physics, to model porous media. This method can have substantial benefits in terms of costs and research time. Also, phenomena can be visualised that cannot easily be observed in experiments. This research focusses on the utility of Bullet Physics for modelling hot asphalt compaction. Therefore, a complex contact model is implemented which can describe the contact forces of the bituminous mixture. The superpave gyratory compaction process is digitally modelled. The model has been programmed in PyBullet, an open source physics engine, programmable in Python. A parametric study has been performed, which reveals the significance of certain properties, which cannot easily be investigated during laboratory compaction. Bullet Physics was not initially designed for scientific research in the field of structural engineering. Therefore, alterations are needed to make the software usable. The implementation of a complex contact model is challenging. Although the Burgers’ contact forces can be correctly described, it proves difficult to implement custom contact forces directly in PyBullet. Two attempts have been made. In the case of a custom integration scheme, the computation time proved too long to be applicable for large scale simulations. In case of a direct implementation in Bullet Physics with the application of external forces, instability occurs. The only correct way to implement a custom contact model is by altering the source code. During the simulations with a simpler contact model, substantial improvements of digital simulations over actual experiments are presented. The consistency proves far better than the prescribed minimum. The influence of inertia and friction can be assessed. It turns out that inertia, as well as the friction of the mould, can be disregarded. Another phenomenon that can be clearly illustrated is the revolving of aggregates inside the mould. Further analysis has shown that the average contact area depends on degradation, but in a typical asphalt mixture does not depend on the size of the individual elements, and could rather be treated as a constant. Further analysis shows that Bullet Physics is incredibly efficient, thus yielding the possibility of performing large scale simulations within reasonable time.

The suitability of a cylindrical concrete sliding hinge connection in modern reinforced concrete structures has not been investigated yet. This type of connection is known for its large normal force capacity and a rotation limit only based on the geometry of the connection. For the case of underground constructions, large normal forces are often present at the wall-to-floor connections. Considering the risk of uneven settlements, such connections may also demand sufficient rotation capacity. This research is aimed at deriving the limit state of the connection and the surrounding concrete structure. A test program is carried out to support the research, where full scale experiments are performed at the Stevin II laboratory of the Delft University of Technology. The goal is to prove the functioning of this type of hinged connection in a system before it is implemented in practice. Different analytical contact models are investigated and implemented aiding in quantifying the performance of the connection. A finite element model is used to verify the analytical models and to obtain the stress distribution in the connection. Two different bearing types are investigated in its ability to aid the sliding in the connection: a bituminous and a PTFE-stainless steel interface. Both the PTFE-stainless steel and the bituminous interface are adequate to allow sliding with low rotational resistance. Significantly lower bending moments are obtained during testing compared to a conventional monolithic connection. From the testing project it is found that the capacity of the cylindrical hinge for the given reinforcement design is significant when loaded in the normal direction. The concave concrete element can fail in a splitting failure mode when loaded to the normal force limit. The bituminous interface shows the ability to spread contact stresses and allow for reduced cracking under large normal force loads. Large loads in shear, in combination with low levels of normal force is a point of attention to prevent shear cracks, irrespective of the type of bearing. It is found that the hinge functions fine with favourable frictional behaviour for large shear forces indicating the ability to cope with these forces when a sufficient reinforcement design is implemented.

This research project aims to implement an elasto-plastic Neo-Hookean Alpha material with a Desai flow surface with hardening and softening in Abaqus via the Continuum Mechanics framework. This is done by first defining the elasto-plastic potato diagram and deriving the corresponding stress tensor definition and dissipation inequality. The elastic deformation gradient is needed in the definition of the stress tensor, which is found by using the Newton-Raphson procedure for the maximization of the dissipation inequality subjected to the plastic flow surface. The Neo-Hookean Alpha elastic material, the Desai plastic flow surface and the definition of the hardening and softening curve are given and are substituted in the stress tensor definition and the corresponding Newton-Raphson procedure, which finishes the derivation of the theory needed to implement this model. This model is implemented in both Abaqus and Python, where the latter is used for rapid prototyping of the model. The methodology of verifying both implementations is presented. The results of the verification of the implementations are given and show that the behaviour of both implementations is as expected and that both implementations correspond to each other; although there are a few small issues. In the end, these issues are discussed, and future recommendations are given to solve them.

Functional Pavement Design is a collections of 186 papers from 27 different countries, which were presented at the 4th Chinese-European Workshops (CEW) on Functional Pavement Design (Delft, the Netherlands, 29 June-1 July 2016). The focus of the CEW series is on field tests, laboratory test methods and advanced analysis techniques, and cover analysis, material development and production, experimental characterization, design and construction of pavements. The main areas covered by the book include: - Flexible pavements - Pavement and bitumen - Pavement performance and LCCA - Pavement structures - Pavements and environment - Pavements and innovation - Rigid pavements - Safety - Traffic engineering Functional Pavement Design aims at contributing to the establishment of a new generation of pavement design methodologies in which rational mechanics principles, advanced constitutive models and advanced material characterization techniques shall constitute the backbone of the design process. The book will be much of interest to professionals and academics in pavement engineering and related disciplines. @en

Advances in Materials and Pavement Performance Prediction contains the papers presented at the International Conference on Advances in Materials and Pavement Performance Prediction (AM3P, Doha, Qatar, 16- 18 April 2018). There has been an increasing emphasis internationally in the design and construction of sustainable pavement systems. Advances in Materials and Pavement Prediction reflects this development highlighting various approaches to predict pavement performance. The contributions discuss links and interactions between material characterization methods, empirical predictions, mechanistic modeling, and statistically-sound calibration and validation methods. There is also emphasis on comparisons between modeling results and observed performance. The topics of the book include (but are not limited to): • Experimental laboratory material characterization • Field measurements and in situ material characterization • Constitutive modeling and simulation • Innovative pavement materials and interface systems • Non-destructive measurement techniques • Surface characterization, tire-surface interaction, pavement noise • Pavement rehabilitation • Case studies Advances in Materials and Pavement Performance Prediction will be of interest to academics and engineers involved in pavement engineering.@en

Advances in Materials and Pavement Performance Prediction contains the papers presented at the International Conference on Advances in Materials and Pavement Performance Prediction (AM3P, Doha, Qatar, 16- 18 April 2018). There has been an increasing emphasis internationally in the design and construction of sustainable pavement systems. Advances in Materials and Pavement Prediction reflects this development highlighting various approaches to predict pavement performance. The contributions discuss links and interactions between material characterization methods, empirical predictions, mechanistic modeling, and statistically-sound calibration and validation methods. There is also emphasis on comparisons between modeling results and observed performance. The topics of the book include (but are not limited to): • Experimental laboratory material characterization • Field measurements and in situ material characterization • Constitutive modeling and simulation • Innovative pavement materials and interface systems • Non-destructive measurement techniques • Surface characterization, tire-surface interaction, pavement noise • Pavement rehabilitation • Case studies Advances in Materials and Pavement Performance Prediction will be of interest to academics and engineers involved in pavement engineering.@en

Inspired from the legacy of the previous four 3DFEM conferences held in Delft and Athens as well as the successful 2018 AM3P conference held in Doha, the 2020 AM3P conference continues the pavement mechanics theme including pavement models, experimental methods to estimate model parameters, and their implementation in predicting pavement performance. The AM3P conference is organized by the Standing International Advisory Committee (SIAC), at the time of this publication chaired by Professors Tom Scarpas, Eyad Masad, and Amit Bhasin.　 Advances in Materials and Pavement Performance Prediction II includes over 111 papers presented at the 2020 AM3P Conference. The technical topics covered include: - rigid pavements - pavement geotechnics - statistical and data tools in pavement engineering - pavement structures - asphalt mixtures - asphalt binders The book will be invaluable to academics and engineers involved or interested in pavement engineering, pavement models, experimental methods to estimate model parameters, and their implementation in predicting pavement performance.@en

Green and Intelligent Technologies for Sustainable and Smart Asphalt Pavements contains 124 papers from 14 different countries which were presented at the 5th International Symposium on Frontiers of Road and Airport Engineering (IFRAE 2021, Delft, the Netherlands, 12-14 July 2021). The contributions focus on research in the areas of "Circular, Sustainable and Smart Airport and Highway Pavement" and collects the state-of-the-art and state-of-practice areas of long-life and circular materials for sustainable, cost-effective smart airport and highway pavement design and construction. The main areas covered by the book include: • Green and sustainable pavement materials • Recycling technology • Warm & cold mix asphalt materials • Functional pavement design • Self-healing pavement materials • Eco-efficiency pavement materials • Pavement preservation, maintenance and rehabilitation • Smart pavement materials and structures • Safety technology for smart roads • Pavement monitoring and big data analysis • Role of transportation engineering in future pavements Green and Intelligent Technologies for Sustainable and Smart Asphalt Pavements aims at researchers, practitioners, and administrators interested in new materials and innovative technologies for achieving sustainable and renewable pavement materials and design methods, and for those involved or working in the broader field of pavement engineering.@en

Green and Intelligent Technologies for Sustainable and Smart Asphalt Pavements contains 124 papers from 14 different countries which were presented at the 5th International Symposium on Frontiers of Road and Airport Engineering (IFRAE 2021, Delft, the Netherlands, 12-14 July 2021). The contributions focus on research in the areas of "Circular, Sustainable and Smart Airport and Highway Pavement" and collects the state-of-the-art and state-of-practice areas of long-life and circular materials for sustainable, cost-effective smart airport and highway pavement design and construction. The main areas covered by the book include: • Green and sustainable pavement materials • Recycling technology • Warm & cold mix asphalt materials • Functional pavement design • Self-healing pavement materials • Eco-efficiency pavement materials • Pavement preservation, maintenance and rehabilitation • Smart pavement materials and structures • Safety technology for smart roads • Pavement monitoring and big data analysis • Role of transportation engineering in future pavements Green and Intelligent Technologies for Sustainable and Smart Asphalt Pavements aims at researchers, practitioners, and administrators interested in new materials and innovative technologies for achieving sustainable and renewable pavement materials and design methods, and for those involved or working in the broader field of pavement engineering.@en

Advances in Materials and Pavement Performance Prediction contains the papers presented at the International Conference on Advances in Materials and Pavement Performance Prediction. There has been an increasing emphasis internationally in the design and construction of sustainable pavement systems. Advances in Materials and Pavement Prediction reflects this development highlighting various approaches to predict pavement performance. The contributions discuss links and interactions between material characterization methods, empirical predictions, mechanistic modeling, and statistically-sound calibration and validation methods. There is also an emphasis on comparisons between modeling results and observed performance. @en

Advances in Materials and Pavement Performance Prediction contains the papers presented at the International Conference on Advances in Materials and Pavement Performance Prediction. There has been an increasing emphasis internationally in the design and construction of sustainable pavement systems. Advances in Materials and Pavement Prediction reflects this development highlighting various approaches to predict pavement performance. The contributions discuss links and interactions between material characterization methods, empirical predictions, mechanistic modeling, and statistically-sound calibration and validation methods. There is also an emphasis on comparisons between modeling results and observed performance. @en