This volume contains two-page abstracts of the 482 papers presented at the latest conference on the subject, in Alexandroupolis, Greece. The accompanying CD contains the full length papers. The abstracts of the fifteen plenary lectures are included at the beginning of the book. The remaining 467 abstracts are arranged in 23 tracks and 28 special symposia/sessions with 225 and 242 abstracts, respectively. The papers of the tracks have been contributed from open call, while the papers of the symposia/sessions have been solicited by the respective organizers.

The book will concentrate on the application of micromechanics to the analysis of practical engineering problems. Both classical composites represented by carbon/carbon textile laminates and applications in Civil Engineering including asphalts and masonry structures will be considered. A common denominator of these considerably distinct material systems will be randomness of their internal structure. Also, owing to their complexity, all material systems will be studied on multiple scales. Since real engineering, rather than academic, problems are of the main interest, these scales will be treated independently from each other on the grounds of fully uncoupled multi-scale analysis. Attention will be limited to elastic and viscoelastic behaviour and to the linear heat transfer analysis. To achieve this, the book will address two different approaches to the homogenization of systems with random microstructures. In particular, classical averaging schemes based on the Eshelby solution of a solitary inclusion in an infinite medium represented by the Hashin-Shtrikman variational principles or by considerably simpler and more popular Mori-Tanaka method will be compared to detailed finite element simulations of a certain representative volume element (RVE) representing accommodated geometrical details of respective microstructures. These are derived by matching material statistics such as the one- and two-point probability functions of real and artificial microstructures. The latter one is termed the statistically equivalent periodic unit cell owing to the assumed periodic arrangement of reinforcements (carbon fibres, carbon fibre tows, stones or masonry bricks) in a certain matrix (carbon matrix, asphalt mastic, mortar). Other types of materials will be introduced in the form of exercises with emphases to the application of the Mori-Tanaka method in the framework of the previously mentioned uncoupled multi-scale analysis

The design and construction of “long and deep” tunnels, i.e. tunnels under mountains, characterised by either considerable length and/or overburden, represent a considerable challenge. The scope of this book is not to instruct how to design and construct such tunnels but to share a method to identify the potential hazards related to the process of designing and constructing long and deep tunnels, to produce a relevant comprehensive analysis and listing, to quantify the probability and consequences, and to design proper mitigation measures and countermeasures. The design, developed using probabilistic methods, is verified during execution by means of the so called Plan for Advance of the Tunnel (PAT) method, which allows adapting the design and control parameters of the future stretches of the tunnel to the results of the stretches already finished, using the monitoring data base. Numerous criteria are given to identify the key parameters, necessary for the PAT procedure. Best practices of excavation management with the help of real time monitoring and control are also provided. Furthermore cost and time evaluation systems are analysed. Finally, contractual aspects related to construction by contract are investigated, for best development and application of models more appropriate for tunnelling-construction contracts. The work will be of interest to practising engineers, designers, consultants and students in mining, underground, tunnelling, transportation and construction engineering, as well as to foundation and geological engineers, urban planners/developers and architects.

Advances in Functional Pavements is a collection of papers presented at the 7th Chinese-European Workshop (CEW) on Functional Pavement (Birmingham, UK, 2-4 July 2023). The focus of the CEW series is on field tests, laboratory test methods and advanced analysis techniques, and covers analysis, material development and production, experimental characterization, design and construction of pavements. The main areas covered by the book include: Green pavements for circular and low-carbon economy Intelligent pavements for future and smart cities Durable pavements for long-life infrastructures Safe pavements for user-friendly build environments Advances in Functional Pavements aims at contributing to the establishment of a new generation of pavement design methodologies in which rational mechanics principles, advanced constitutive models and advanced material characterization techniques shall constitute the backbone of the design process. The book will be much of interest to professionals, academics and practitioners in pavement engineering and related disciplines as it should assist them in providing improved road pavement infrastructure to their stakeholders. .

This Special Issue “Sustainable Designed Pavement Materials” has been proposed and organized as a means to present recent developments in the field of environmentally-friendly designed pavement materials. For this reason, articles included in this special issue relate to different aspects of pavement materials, from industry solid waste recycling to pavement materials recycling, from pavement materials modification to asphalt performance characterization, from pavement defect detection to pavement maintenance, and from asphalt pavement to cement concrete pavement.