Dr Daniel Grossegger

Research Interests

The flow of material through the anthropogenic system lies at the centre of sustainability. As a civil engineer, Daniel is interested in understanding and improving the vast flow of construction materials through our system to achieve sustainable development. His work focuses on material flows, material and structure resilience, and waste utilisation.

Strategic Themes

Material flow analysis

Identification and quantification of material flows in anthropogenic systems and their environmental impact

Road construction materials

Investigation of bituminous materials on ageing, healing and capability to contain waste and by-products.

Research Project

A detailed materials analysis, including supply chains, is conducted and evaluated on circularity, recycling rates, material losses and environmental impacts, identifying potential areas of improvement. To further increase sustainability, three scenarios are studied: increased recycling rates, secondary material application and structure reduction through high-quality materials. A forecasting model is developed to predict future material demands and secondary material yield, including recycling material. Economic, social and political parameters are used to simulate the changes occurring in material flows and stocks, and subsequently environmental impacts, due to the different scenarios. Temporal and final sinks for different materials are specified for waste flows, in order to establish clean cycles. Service times of the road structures are identified, analysed and compared to other external factors for the replacement to optimes road service times and maintenance intervals. Preventive and corrective maintenance is further investigated on recyclability and dispersive material flows into the environment. Holistic system optimisation to reduce primary material consumption, waste flow, and environmental impacts is a highly effective way to achieve a zero/minimal impact road. 

Project Title: Current and future material flows and stocks in roads  

Abstract: The construction and maintenance of the road network consume primary resources and add to the material stock of the built environment. Due to the expanding and ageing road network. maintenance gained more (economic and resource) importance. The shift from new road construction to road maintenance is an opportunity to increase material circularity and reduce environmental, economic and social impacts.  Therefore, the proposed study investigates the current/past and future material flows and stocks and their environmental impacts. A detailed materials analysis, including supply chains, is conducted and evaluated on circularity, recycling rates, material losses and environmental impacts (through LCA), identifying potential areas of improvement. To further increase sustainability, three scenarios are studied: increased recycling rates, secondary material application and structure reduction through high-quality materials. A forecasting model is developed to predict future material demands and secondary material yield, including recycling material. Economic, social and political parameters are used to simulate the changes occurring in material flows and stocks, and subsequently environmental impacts, due to the different scenarios. Temporal and final sinks for different materials are specified for waste flows, in order to establish clean cycles. Service times of the road structures are identified, analysed and compared to other external factors for the replacement to optimes road service times and maintenance intervals. Preventive and corrective maintenance is further investigated on recyclability and dispersive material flows into the environment. Holistic system optimisation to reduce primary material consumption, waste flow, and environmental impacts is a highly effective way to  achieve a zero/minimal impact road. 

Biography

Daniel obtained a BSc in Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Management, an MSc in Materials Sciences from Vienna University of Technology (Austria), and a Ph.D. from the University of Nottingham (United Kingdom). He has been working with bituminous materials for about ten years, going from the physicochemical aspects of bitumen ageing to modifications and later to its inherent self-healing ability. Focusing on sustainable roads, Daniel is interested in improving the material flows related to road construction to achieve sustainable practice. In parallel, Daniel has supported teaching while studying for his degrees and has given guest lectures at the South China University of Technology (China). Currently, Daniel joined the Future Roads Fellowship Program, which provides him with the chance to work keep working on sustainable roads and the opportunity for professional and personal growth.