Niki Kringos – författare

In the recent past, new materials, laboratory and in-situ testing methods and construction techniques have been introduced. In addition, modern computational techniques such as the finite element method enable the utilization of sophisticated constitutive models for realistic model-based predictions of the response of pavements. The 7th RILEM International Conference on Cracking of Pavements provided an international forum for the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge amongst experts involved in computational analysis, material production, experimental characterization, design and construction of pavements.

All submitted contributions were subjected to an exhaustive refereed peer review procedure by the Scientific Committee, the Editors and a large group of international experts in the topic. On the basis of their recommendations, 129 contributions which best suited the goals and the objectives of the Conference were chosen for presentation and inclusion in the Proceedings.

The strong message that emanates from the accepted contributions is that, by accounting for the idiosyncrasies of the response of pavement engineering materials, modern sophisticated constitutive models in combination with new experimental material characterization and construction techniques provide a powerful arsenal for understanding and designing against the mechanisms and the processes causing cracking and pavement response deterioration. As such they enable the adoption of truly "mechanistic" design methodologies.

The papers represent the following topics: Laboratory evaluation of asphalt concrete cracking potential; Pavement cracking detection;  Field investigation of pavement cracking; Pavement cracking modeling response, crack analysis and damage prediction; Performance of concrete pavements and white toppings; Fatigue cracking and damage characterization of asphalt concrete; Evaluation of the effectiveness of asphalt concretemodification; Crack growth parameters and mechanisms; Evaluation, quantification and modeling of asphalt healing properties; Reinforcement and interlayer systems for crack mitigation;  Thermal and low temperature cracking of pavements; and Cracking propensity of WMA and recycled asphalts.

The micro- and nano-modification of infrastructure materials and the associated multi-scale characterization and simulation has the potential to open up whole new uses and classes of materials, with wide-ranging implications for society. The use of multi-scale characterization and simulation brings the ability to target changes at the very small scale that predictably effect the bulk behavior of the material and thus allowing for the optimization of material behavior and performance.       

The International RILEM Symposium on Multi-Scale Modeling and Characterization of Infrastructure Materials (Stockholm, June 10-12, 2013) brought together key researchers from around the world to present their findings and ongoing research in this field in a focused environment with extended discussion times. From asphalt to concrete, from chemistry to mechanics, from nano- to macro-scale: the collection of topics covered by the Symposium represents the width and depth of the currently ongoing efforts of developing more sustainable infrastructure materials.

Researchers, practitioners, undergraduates and graduate students engaged in infrastructure materials or multi-scale characterization and modeling efforts can use this book as a comprehensive reference, to learn about the currently ongoing research efforts in this field or as an inspiration for new research ideas to enhance the long-term performance of infrastructure materials from a fundamental perspective.  

The Symposium was held under the auspices of the RILEM Technical Committee on Nanotechnology-Based Bituminous Materials 231-NBM and the Transport Research Board (TRB) Technical Committee on Characteristics of Asphalt Materials AFK20.