Papers

@article{noauthor_mechanical_2026,

title = {Mechanical performance of warm mix asphalt incorporating polyolefin waste as aggregate},

author = {Jorge Del-Valle-Corte and Ignacio Pérez-Pérez and Ana M. Rodríguez-Pasandín and Pablo Orosa-Iglesias and María José Abad},

url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/398597537_Mechanical_performance_of_warm_mix_asphalt_incorporating_polyolefin_waste_as_aggregate},

doi = {10.1080/10298436.2025.2597314},

issn = {1029-8436},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-12-11},

urldate = {2025-12-11},

journal = {International Journal of Pavement Engineering},

volume = {26},

issue = {1},

abstract = {The widespread use of plastics in modern society, coupled with the challenges of recycling certain types, has driven the exploration of their application in asphalt mixtures to promote circular economy principles and mitigate environmental impact. This laboratory study explores the feasibility of using polyolefin waste as a partial aggregate replacement in warm mix asphalt (WMA) using the dry process without additional treatment. The research began by determining the optimum bitumen content through a mixture design based on the moisture damage resistance test. This same test was then used to identify the optimum polyolefin waste content from seven different WMA mixtures, introducing the coarse-sized polymer as an aggregate substitute, at mass-based replacement rates (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 5.0% and 10.0%) with volume control, and employing two distinct incorporation methods. Subsequently, the control and polyolefin-modified mixtures were evaluated regarding volumetric and mechanical properties, including abrasion resistance, stiffness, thermal susceptibility, resistance to permanent deformation and fatigue life. The findings demonstrate that incorporating polyolefin waste at a substitution level of 0.5% enhances both abrasion and moisture damage resistance, effectively repurposing a challenging waste material. However, despite these benefits, it also presents some limitations in permanent deformation resistance compared to the control mixture.},

keywords = {fatigue life, moisture damage resistance, permanent deformation, plastic waste, polyolefin, Stiffness, warm mix asphalt},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{riepe_elasto-plastic_2025,

title = {An elasto-plastic model for the deformation of dowel-type fasteners based on Johansen’s theory},

author = {Johann Riepe and Jacobo Díaz-García and Jörg Schänzlin},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141029625017067},

doi = {10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.121315},

issn = {0141-0296},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-12-01},

urldate = {2025-12-01},

journal = {Engineering Structures},

volume = {344},

pages = {121315},

abstract = {In timber structures, the stiffness of a connection is of considerable importance in terms of the distribution of forces and deformations within the structural system, and therefore requires an appropriate design method. The existing European standard, and its second generation, provide equations for the prediction of deformation for connections with dowel-type fasteners. However, these empirical equations differ significantly in the influencing parameters from the theory to determine load-bearing capacity according to Johansen. Since that approach is based on ideal-plastic assumptions for the embedment stiffness and the bending moment of the fastener, no deformation can be obtained. This paper presents an extension of Johansen theory, considering an elastic–plastic assumption of the material parameters, which allows to obtain the deformation of the connection considering the same parameters as for the prediction of the ultimate load. These new derived basic equations are solved numerically, resulting in a force–deformation curve that reflects the elastic–plastic behaviour of a given connection. In order to validate this approach, a comparison of the results with experimentally determined curves and with the well-established beam-on-foundation method (BOFM) is presented. The results demonstrate that the extended theory can be employed to achieve outcomes that are highly comparable to those attained by the BOFM. However, minor deviations were observed when the connection configuration was within the transition state between two failure modes. For configurations with a force-fibre angle of α=60°, the results of the extended Johansen theory accurately describe the initial stiffness but underestimate the force in plasticised areas. This can be attributed to the bedding curve being oversimplified when a rising branch is observed after the timber material’s yield strength is reached.},

keywords = {Beam-on-foundation method, Force–displacement, Johansen theory, Stiffness},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pasandin_valorisation_2022,

title = {Valorisation of lignin-rich industrial byproduct into half-warm mix reclaimed asphalt with enhanced performance},

author = {Ana M. Rodríguez-Pasandín and E. Nardi and N. Pérez-Barge and E. Toraldo},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950061821035030},

doi = {10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125770},

issn = {0950-0618},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

urldate = {2026-08-11},

journal = {Construction and Building Materials},

volume = {315},

pages = {125770},

abstract = {To promote a circular economy and sustainable development, the possibility of using a lignin-rich industrial byproduct as a partial substitute for asphalt emulsions in road pavements is analysed. A half-warm mix reclaimed asphalt (HWMRA)-type AC 16 surf S, manufactured with 100% reclaimed asphalt pavement, is selected. Substitution percentages of 0% (control mixture), 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% are employed. The microstructure of the blend of the byproduct and asphalt emulsion is observed using scanning electron microscopy. The water resistance of the mixture is investigated using indirect tensile tests, as well as its volumetric properties. The stiffness, thermal susceptibility by indirect tensile tests, and resistance to permanent deformation by confined uniaxial compression tests and Hamburg wheel tracking tests are also studied. The optimum percentage of byproduct substitution is 5%, resulting in an enhanced HWMRA with a slightly better water resistance, higher resistance to permanent deformation at low and medium environmental temperatures, and higher indirect tensile strength and stiffness than those of the control mix.},

keywords = {Byproduct, HWMRA, lignin, permanent deformation, RAP, SEM, Stiffness, Water resistance},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{otero-chans_experimental_2018,

title = {Experimental analysis of glued-in steel plates used as shear connectors in Timber-Concrete-Composites},

author = {Dolores Otero-Chans and Javier Estévez-Cimadevila and Félix Suárez-Riestra and Emilio Martín-Gutiérrez},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141029617340117},

doi = {10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.05.062},

issn = {0141-0296},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-09-01},

urldate = {2026-08-04},

journal = {Engineering Structures},

volume = {170},

pages = {1–10},

abstract = {This paper describes experimental research into timber-concrete composite (TCC) connections made with discrete perforated steel plates glued in timber with epoxy adhesive. Continuous steel meshes have proven to be very strong and rigid elements in TCC structural members. This paper studies the strength and stiffness of these connectors when used in a discrete way, alone and in combination with reinforcing bars. Six types of connector were subjected to experimental tests, analysing two connection lengths and three configuration systems of the connector elements (in which bars are added longitudinally or transversally). The experimental results show that the connections made with discrete steel meshes are very strong and rigid, and that it is possible to design them for ductile failure. Comparison of the results for plates of different lengths indicates that failure occurs in the longest connections in the wood at lower average shear stresses. No significant behavioural differences were detected between connectors made only of plate and those that were reinforced with additional bars. The high slip moduli values indicate that it would be possible to design structural elements with a composite action close to 100% using this type of connection.},

keywords = {Discrete connection, Failure test, Fibre reinforced concrete, Glued connection, Glued laminated timber, Slip moduli, Stiffness, Strength, Timber-concrete composite},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}