Engineers at Monash University have developed a groundbreaking hybrid drying method that could significantly reduce project delays caused by unpredictable weather conditions.
Led by Professor Jayantha Kodikara from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the team has developed and tested a system that combines microwave energy with controlled hot airflow.
This dual approach targets compacted unbound granular materials, the essential foundation of modern roads, to dry surface layers far more quickly and consistently than traditional solar drying.
“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,” Professor Kodikara said.
“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.”
To take the guesswork out of site management, the researchers integrated machine-learning models to predict drying outcomes by analysing variables such as airflow speed and angle, temperature and time elapsed.
These models showed high accuracy in laboratory trials, providing contractors with a reliable tool to plan schedules.
“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 technical challenge, this proof of concept offers a faster, more reliable alternative to relying on the elements.
By stabilising the drying process, this Monash-led research paves the way for a more resilient construction industry, one where the progress of vital infrastructure is dictated by engineering precision rather than unreliable weather.
