Dallas Little Speaks at Paul Fraser Kent Lecture
Professor Little is the E.B. Snead Chair Professor from the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University.
Professor Little spoke about recent studies, including breakthrough work at UIUC, that have demonstrated the impact on even short recovery periods between load applications in the fatigue damage process of asphalt materials.
His lecture explained how this "healing" process can have a profound impact on the functional life of asphalt pavements, and he identified the importance of considering the impact of microdamage healing in the design of asphalt pavements.
Professor Little identified a framework to quantify healing as a convolution process between microcrack closure and the wetting and diffusion of asphalt macromolecules.
Finally, he presented empirical evidence of the significant impact of microdamage healing and the impact of asphalt composition and asphalt material properties, such as cohesive bond strength (surface energy), on the healing process.
The Paul F. Kent Distinguished Lecture, initiated in 2007, honors outstanding leadership in the field of transportation engineering.
Paul Kent was a 1920 graduate of the University of Illinois in Civil Engineering. As a highway contractor and a materials supplier, he owned and operated two Champaign-based companies, General Paving and Builders Supply. Throughout his professional career he expressed his highest regard and great esteem for the education in civil engineering he received at the University of Illinois.
Mr. Kent dedicated himself to civic service in Illinois and surrounding states. He was the founder and president of the University of Illinois Civil Engineering Alumni Association, and was the recipient of the U of I Loyalty Award and the Civil Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award. Mr. Kent held memberships in the Chi Epsilon National Civil Engineering Honorary Fraternity and the University of Illinois Presidents Club, Foundation and Athletic Council. The Kent Distinguished Lectures are sponsored by the Paul F. Kent Memorial Fund, established in 1977 to support education in Transportation Engineering.
Photos: Dallas N. Little
