Principal Investigator: Dr. George Pinder (Department of Mathematics & Statistics)
Funding Agency: US DOT
This research can be subdivided into three phases. The first phase is the development of a mathematical model of the behavior of water in a system such described above and the creation of a computer program that will solve the equations inherent in this model. In the second phase we will apply the model to a VTrans test site to demonstrate the model’s ability to accurately predict behavior in the field. Finally in the third phase we will use the resulting ‘calibrated’ model in combination with an optimization algorithm to examine the benefits and costs of various design strategies where the design variables are those presented earlier in this section.
We are requesting funding for phase one only, and should the work proceed smoothly, we would seek funding for and initiate phase two and eventually phase three. However, please note that the phase one study is a stand-alone project. The development of a computer-based optimal design strategy for the behavior of porous concrete pavement in cold climates using advanced mathematical methods is, through its scope and focus, in concert with the theme of ‘Sustainable Systems and Advanced Technologies for Northern Communities.’