Research team
Expertise
Dr. Ren, a promising young researcher, recently earned his PhD in April 2024 at TU Delft and is currently a postdoc. His doctoral and postdoctoral research have equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary for a permanent academic position and to become a renowned scholar in material science, chemical characterization, molecular simulation, and mechanical assessment. During his PhD, he focused on the rejuvenation evaluation of reclaimed asphalt binder using multiscale methods, including fatigue and aging aspects. Despite his early career stage, he has published 53 journal papers (25 papers as the first author) in high-impact journals (e.g., International Journal of Fatigue, Materials & Design) and 7 international conferences papers, with >1600 citations and h-index of 24. His expertise in mechanical characterization and molecular simulations of rejuvenated binders is highly relevant to this project. His professional experience and skills position him well to tackle the fatigue and durability problems at various scales. His skill set extends beyond research, encompassing leadership and supervision (supervised 2 PhD and 2 MSc thesis), project management (KPE Project), and time management skills. As a result of his research role in the scientific community, he has been invited to be as a reviewer of more than 100 articles in 18 journals and international proposals. He acts as a member in worldwide academic associations (e.g. ACS, ACSE, RILEM) and organized two special issues as a co-editor. He contributed to the organization of international conference (iFRAE2021) and multiple workshops (KPE-CEAB2022, RILEM Cluster F2024).
Advancing Green Long-life Roadways: Unveiling the Fatigue and Durability Behaviour of Sustainable Fiber-Reinforced Recycled Asphalt (GOLFatDue).
Abstract
Asphalt recycling is important worldwide because of its environmental and economic benefits, such as reduced CO2 emissions, conservation of natural resources and cost savings. The growing demand for sustainable solutions has accelerated the adoption of reclaimed asphalt (RA) recycling techniques, promoting a circular economy and supporting the EU's 2050 climate neutrality targets. Ensuring durability and longevity is crucial for efficient RA recycling, but the complex components in recycled mixtures pose a challenge. Fibre-reinforced recycled asphalt (FRRA) is emerging to address these challenges, but current research focuses mainly on experimental mechanics, resulting in insufficient understanding of the mechanisms of fatigue failure. Factors such as material type, construction conditions and environmental influences complicate the analysis of fatigue behaviour. Bridging the gap in understanding long-term performance is vital for optimising FRRA materials. The MSCA-GOLFatDue project aims to address these challenges through innovative research in four areas: (1) investigating material interaction mechanisms and their influence on fatigue failure, (2) developing a trans-scale computer model for accurate prediction of fatigue life, (3) creating a validated evaluation protocol for optimizing FRRA compositions and structures, and (4) developing new sustainable, durable recycled asphalt materials for industrial applications. The GOLFatDue project enables Dr. Ren to explore the fatigue and durability of FRRA materials by combining fundamental scientific research at three prestigious European universities (University of Antwerp, University of Nottingham, and University of Lyon) with industrial applications. This project will advance European research on green infrastructures and sustainable construction materials, contributing to the Circular Economy Action Plan and paving the way toward a carbon-neutral road industryResearcher(s)
- Promoter: Van den bergh Wim
- Co-promoter: Billen Pieter
- Co-promoter: Vuye Cedric
- Fellow: Ren Shisong
Research team(s)
Funding
- EU-KADER
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Decoding the coupled mechanisms of stiffness and strength in recycled asphalt concrete for sustainable climate-resilient Pavement materials (DreamPave).
Abstract
The transition to sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure calls for pavement solutions that minimise resource use and carbon emissions. Recycled asphalt concrete (RAC), by reusing reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), is a key pathway toward circular construction. Although high recycling rates (60–80%) are common in several countries, their adoption remains limited in Vietnam. To enable wider and more reliable RAC use under diverse climatic conditions, the DreamPave project will advance understanding of the blending zone between aged and virgin binders and optimise material selection, including rejuvenators. Combining advanced experimental testing, molecular simulations, multiscale modelling, and full-scale field trials, DreamPave will reveal and predict stiffness–strength evolution in RAC. By linking nanoscale interfacial adhesion and degradation to mixture- and pavement-scale performance, the project will deliver predictive models and performance-based design guidelines for climate-resilient pavements. This collaboration between University of Antwerp (Belgium) and University of Transport and Communications (Vietnam) forms a complementary partnership bridging nanoscale mechanisms and real-world pavements. Covering materials and climatic conditions from tropical Southeast Asia to temperate Western Europe, the project will produce globally relevant insights that reduce carbon footprints, inform design standards, and train future leaders for sustainable road infrastructure.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van den bergh Wim
- Co-promoter: Ren Shisong
Research team(s)
Funding
- FWO
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Multiscale Exploration on Cohesion/Adhesion Restoration Efficiency and Mechanism of Sustainable Bio-rejuvenated Bitumen (BORBs).
Abstract
In Europe, over 90% of European roads are surfaced with asphalt, and the sustainability goal serves as a central driver for reclaimed asphalt recycling. Rejuvenation technology has been developed for 100% recyclability of asphalt by adding rejuvenators and restoring chemo-rheological properties of aged bitumen. However, most rejuvenators are derived from non-renewable petroleum sources, and it is essential to develop renewable bio-based rejuvenators. The exploration of bio-rejuvenators is still in its early stages, with limited research focusing on the fundamentals behind the rejuvenation mechanism. As such, this project aims to develop a bottom-up multiscale evaluation framework for assessing the cohesion/adhesion performance of bio-rejuvenated bitumen (BORBs). Chemical techniques and nano-mechanics will first detect chemical and nanoscale cohesive/adhesive properties of BORBs, considering the role of bio-rejuveneator/aged bitumen types and conditioning factors. Subsequently, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations will be conducted to predict the molecular-scale debonding behaviors of BORBs. Lastly, MD simulation outputs will be connected with macroscale mechanical results, serving as input parameters for micromechanical modelling. Overall, this work will propose a trans-scale performance evaluation scheme for BORBs, facilitating the design of effective bio-rejuvenator formulations with high-quality rejuvenation efficiency in both cohesion and adhesion aspects.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van den bergh Wim
- Fellow: Ren Shisong
Research team(s)
Funding
- FWO
Project type(s)
- Research Project