Advancing toward zero waste: Alternative materials for quieter pavements

By Lily Poulikakos on 02/15/2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in 1611 Titan Dr., Rantoul, IL 61866

Join Lily Poulikakos as she presents via Zoom at the Spring 2024 Kent Seminar Series Thursday, February 15, from 2-3 p.m. (CT).

The Spring 2024 semester is set to feature 14 presentations, each addressing a topic related to modeling and mechanics in transportation. See the full lineup of speakers for Spring 2024.

Pizza and soft drinks will be provided beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the ICT Classroom. 

All presentations will be held on Zoom, but some speakers will present in person at ICT.

Join Zoom Meeting 
https://illinois.zoom.us/j/89226656958?pwd=bzRFbnM4Y0hrdlJ5TFZ2M2xlbStUQT09

Meeting ID: 892 2665 6958
Password: 535829

Abstract and Bio

The asphalt community is addressing waste reduction by reusing reclaimed asphalt and substituting waste materials for virgin ones. These practices show promise in reducing CO2 emissions, energy use, and costs, and could outperform conventional materials. However, data is primarily from lab tests due to varying global technology readiness. Urban challenges like noise pollution and waste production are also being tackled. This talk will focus on using alternative materials for quieter pavements, featuring Swiss projects utilizing polyethylene, crumb rubber, steel slag, and recycled concrete in road construction. A multi-scale, chemo-mechanical approach demonstrates unique challenges and the importance of regional waste policies in sustainable road design.

Poulikakos received a bachelor’s in architectural engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder, a master’s in civil engineering from the University of Illinois, and a doctorate in civil engineering from ETH Zurich. She worked as a senior scientist at Empa, the Swiss federal laboratories for materials science and technology, from 2001 to 2023. Currently, she is an expert on national and European projects, focusing on multi-scale characterization of innovative bituminous materials, low noise pavements, and the use of waste and marginal materials in roads.