Advancing transportation geotechnics through digital technologies

Abstract

The integration of advanced digital technologies is revolutionizing transportation geotechnics, enabling unprecedented achievements in efficiency of design, construction and maintenance contributing to more sustainable infrastructure developments. This paper explores cutting-edge advancements in self-sensing geomaterials, stiffness characterization using bender elements in unbound geomaterials, remote sensing, bridge scour detection and building information modelling (BIM), showcasing their transformative potential. Self-sensing geomaterials embedded with nanomaterials act as sensors provide real-time stress, strain and loading monitoring, enhancing health structural monitoring. Stiffness characterization is upscaled from sand to unbound aggregates through the application of bender element testing. Remote sensing technologies, including InSAR, enable slope stability assessments across networks, while AI-powered predictive models improve landslide risk mitigation, as well as network-scale bridge scour detection. The paper also highlights the BIM’s contribution to infrastructure sustainable practices through the use of recycled construction and demolition wastes (RCDWs).