Florida Institute of Technology issued the following news release:
Paul Cosentino, Florida Institute of Technology professor of civil engineering, was awarded a 24-month $300,400 contract by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Cosentino has so far received $185,910 of the total award. The university is contributing an additional $6,000 to fund undergraduates to help with the work.
Cosentino and co-principal investigator Edward Kalajian, professor of engineering, will direct a research team that will develop new applications for pavement millings, the material removed from the pavement surface prior to resurfacing, during roadway construction. This material, also called Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), currently has limited uses for FDOT work. Cosentino's research team will investigate ways to improve the engineering behavior of RAP such as its strength and stiffness. These improvements may allow RAP to be used as the base in a pavement system, which would significantly increase it usage.
"We are going to mix RAP with soil used in roadway construction, cement and other binders," said Cosentino. "The state of Florida is running out of good material for new construction and they are looking for new alternatives," he added.
The FDOT's mission is to provide a safe transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity and preserves the quality of our environment and communities.
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