Monash engineers have published new findings on a faster, more reliable way to dry road-base materials.
The work could help reduce construction delays caused by weather and site conditions. The team, led by Professor Jayantha Kodikara from the Monash Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, tested a hybrid drying approach combining microwave energy with hot airflow to dry compacted unbound granular materials - widely used to form the base layers of roads.
"This work has real potential to reduce costly delays on construction sites. It shows we can take much of the guesswork out of drying road base materials. By combining microwave energy with controlled hot airflow, we're able to dry the surface layer more quickly and consistently than relying on sunshine alone," Professor Kodikara said.
The team also applied machine-learning models to predict drying outcomes based on factors such as temperature, airflow speed, airflow angle and time. These models showed strong accuracy, demonstrating how data-driven tools could help contractors better plan construction schedules.
In laboratory trials, the method proved more effective at drying the surface of these materials than microwaves alone, offering a quicker alternative to traditional solar drying.
"By integrating machine learning into the process, we can start to predict drying performance under different site conditions. That means contractors could better plan their schedules and respond to changing weather, rather than waiting and hoping materials dry in time," Professor Kodikara said.
While drying deeper layers remains a challenge, the findings provide a promising proof of concept for faster, more reliable road construction, with less reliance on unpredictable weather.
Read the research paper: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-025-03574-5
