Analysis and Design of Porous Asphalt Mixture for Performance Improvement
January 20, 2023
12 PM – 1 PM ET
Porous asphalt mixture features a high hydraulic conductivity and is primarily used on pavement surfaces to reduce vehicle hydroplaning or stormwater runoff. The mixture may also offer additional functional and environmental benefits such as noise reduction through appropriate design. This talk presents recent research efforts in testing and analyzing porous asphalt mixture to improve its acoustic performance, durability, and environmental sustainability. Laboratory experiments were performed to evaluate the mixture performance in terms of permeability, surface texture, resistance to raveling, tensile strength, and sound absorption. A mechanistic-empirical model was developed for sound absorption based on mixture design parameters. The potential of incorporating renewable or waste materials into the mixture was also evaluated.
Qing Lu, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida (USF). His research focuses include sustainable transportation infrastructure facility design and management, primarily in the road system, pavement structures, and asphalt materials. He serves as an associate editor for the journal “Transportation Research Part D – Transport and Environment” and is the chair of the Academic Committee of the International Association of Chinese Infrastructure Professionals (IACIP). Dr. Lu is a member of the ASCE EMI Mechanics of Pavements Committee and an editorial board member of several journals. Dr. Lu obtained his bachelor’s degree in Highway and Urban Road Engineering from Southeast University and his master’s degree in statistics and his doctorate degree in civil engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. Prior to joining USF, he was a project scientist and lab manager at the University of California Pavement Research Center (UCPRC). He is a professional engineer in civil engineering licensed in California.
