Improving the durability of open porous asphalt pavements in urban areas

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Michael Wistuba
• Subject Area: Construction Material Sciences, Chemistry, Building Physics ; City Planning, Spatial Planning, Transportation and Infrastructure Planning, Landscape Planning
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 568914019

Urban areas worldwide are increasingly vulnerability to pluvial flooding due to climate change and urbanization, which exacerbate surface runoff and reduce infiltration. Porous Asphalt (PA) pavements, originally designed for highways to enhance traffic safety and water drainage, offer a promising solution for urban flood mitigation. However, their open structure makes them prone to clogging, which significantly reduces their efficiency and durability in urban environments. The OPENPAV project aims to link the knowledge gap regarding the clogging mechanisms in Porous Asphalt to its durability, especially in urban areas. The research focuses on three key objectives: (1) assessing the lifespan of PA layers by modeling material aging and clogging potential, (2) analyzing the effects of clogging on stress and strain distribution within the pavement asphalt layer, and (3) understanding mechanical responses of PA layer under various traffic loads and temperature conditions. To achieve these objectives, an extensive experimental and mathematical modeling approaches will be conducted. The experimental part includes rheological tests to evaluate material properties, resistance to water-induced deterioration, and mechanical stability in simulated real-world conditions. Additionally, with the generated data from experimental phase, numerical models will be developed to simulate material behavior, incorporating Discrete Element Modeling (DEM) for asphalt mixtures and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for fluid flow within and without clogged pores. The coupling of these models will allow an innovative and comprehensive understanding of PA behavior influenced by the clogging effect. The expected outcomes of OPENPAV include a well-defined clogging understanding for PA layers, predictive models for clogging progression, and technical guidelines for designing more durable and sustainable PA systems. These findings will contribute to national standardization efforts in France and Germany, promoting the large-scale implementation of PA-UP as a resilient urban pavement solution.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: France
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Cyrille Chazallon, Ph.D.