From scorching heat in the summer to blasting winter cold, road builders in the Prairies have some of the toughest paving conditions to contend with. Asphalt is more than just a surface layer; it’s a material that must endure the full force of nature over a long period of time.
This is one of the subjects that’s under close scrutiny at the Centre for Applied Research in Sustainable Infrastructure (CARSI) at Red River College Polytechnic in Winnipeg, Man. CARSI provides applied research and education, connecting the classroom with real-world challenges in the construction industry.
The centre is structured into three main areas: pavement materials, structural construction materials and building construction innovation. The lab was originally focused on supporting the aerospace and manufacturing industries, but it has a growing emphasis on asphalt concrete pavement research.
Bahador Barbod, a municipal engineering instructor at the college, says CARSI’s mission is to prepare students for industry while generating practical knowledge that benefits public and private stakeholders. “Students who take our pavement materials courses don’t just study theory,” he said. “They engage in asphalt mix design, evaluate the challenges that come with it and conduct tests using the lab’s advanced equipment.”
Barbod says CARSI delves into a wide range of research projects, including comparative studies on asphalt density testing methods, investigations into self-healing asphalt using calcium alginate and the development of cold mix asphalt, suitable for low-temperature applications. One area of his particular areas of interest involves incorporating recycled materials such as reclaimed asphalt pavement into new mixes, a direction that aligns with sustainability goals while meeting industry demands.
The real-world implications of this research are significant. Much of the lab’s work is driven by the goal of enhancing the durability of construction materials and reducing long-term maintenance costs. Barbod says that while asphalt is widely used, its performance over time – especially under the unique freeze-thaw cycles common to the Prairies – remains a challenge. CARSI’s testing equipment contains a large programmable environmental chamber capable of simulating both high and low temperature conditions.
This chamber is divided into two separate spaces, allowing simultaneous tests at vastly different temperatures. Asphalt samples placed in the chamber undergo rigorous freeze-thaw cycles, mimicking the real-life stressors found on prairie roads.
Much of the lab’s work is driven by the goal of enhancing the durability of construction materials and reducing long-term maintenance costs.
Barbod and his students use the equipment to examine how new asphalt formulations behave under the harshest conditions. By observing how materials crack, deform or deteriorate, CARSI researchers can make more accurate predictions about long-term performance and help shape better material specifications. It should be noted that the chamber isn’t limited to asphalt since it’s large enough to accommodate concrete beams, window frames and other structural components for testing.
As this research continues, Barbod says he hopes to build stronger relationships with the private sector. Although CARSI maintains ties with Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure, its connections with private road builders have been limited. “One thing that’s a little bit challenging for bringing the industry into our research is that students go through the co-op program in the summertime, and asphalt construction is usually shut down in the winter. That’s when students are in college, so we don’t always have that connection between the industry and the college,” he said.
Still, Barbod sees plenty of opportunities for collaboration, such as increased relationships between academic researchers and industry stakeholders, where student-driven projects can address real-world problems and inform construction decisions. Final reports and presentations are already shared with any interested partners, and Barbod invited road building companies to attend student presentations or propose research topics that align with their needs.
CARSI’s impact also extends into workforce development. Students involved in pavement research gain experience in both Marshall and Superpave mix design methods. They learn how to troubleshoot mix performance, test various additives and compare results using industry-standard lab technologies. Graduates leave the program with a comprehensive understanding of construction materials testing, as well as practical experience that gives them a competitive edge in the job market.
The lab’s commitment to skill-building is especially important as the construction industry continues to face a growing demand for technically trained professionals. Barbod says students leave the program with both theoretical knowledge and extensive hands-on experience in asphalt and concrete mix design.
“Students come out from the CARSI lab usually with a complete understanding of construction material testing,” he said. “They experience all of those tests themselves and get the theory and practical knowledge of the mixed design for asphalt and concrete both.”
Looking ahead, the lab has ambitious goals. Barbod says he is interested in researching the use of nanomaterials in asphalt mixes and how these microscopic additives could improve performance properties like elasticity and resistance to cracking. He’s also interested in further research of cold mix asphalt solutions, which remain underused in the Prairies despite their potential to reduce costs and enable off-season construction. If CARSI can demonstrate consistent performance under lab conditions, Barbod says he hopes to help shift industry perceptions and encourage broader adoption of these alternative materials.
Another priority is securing new testing equipment to enhance CARSI’s analytical capabilities. With enhanced tools, the lab could provide even more detailed insights into mix performance and lifecycle costs. This is information that would be valuable to municipal planners, contractors and engineers looking to stretch their infrastructure budgets further.
As CARSI continues to grow, Barbod hopes this will lead to closer ties between the institution and the heavy construction industry. “There’s tremendous value in aligning what we do in the lab with what’s happening in the field,” he said. “We want to be a resource for road builders. Whether it’s improving asphalt durability, reducing maintenance needs, or training the next generation of professionals, we’re here to support the industry.”
Pat Rediger is a journalist, author, public relations consultant and entrepreneur.