Exploratory Advanced Research . . . Next Generation Transportation Solutions

Improved Analysis Tools

“Understanding the mechanical, thermal, and 

electromagnetic behaviors of various materials 

is essential in order to study their responses under different conditions and for various applications,” explains Kunik Lee of FHWA. “At the root 

of this understanding is the study of behavior at 

the nanoscale level, however, current material 

and system responses are typically manifested 

and observed in their macroscopic behavior.” 

This study aims to build on current understanding and existing theories to enable not only a 

better analysis of material responses under different environmental conditions and applied 

loading but also a better tool for design of new 

materials for enhanced durability, endurance, 

and improved behavior.

Multiple Challenges

Integrating multiple timescales and material 

sizes are fundamental challenges for the study 

team to overcome in order to create a multiscale model. One of the specific issues in this 

study involves interfacing the concept of molecular dynamics, which involves simulating the 

physical movements of atoms and molecules, 

with continuum mechanics, which involves 

analyzing materials as a continuous mass rather than as individual particles. Once a general 

theoretical model has been successfully formulated, various conditions can begin to be added 

to the mix, including thermal and electromagnetic effects to better reflect the advantages 

of different material properties for highway 

structures and pavements. The construction of a 

flexible and compatible multiscale theory is 

something researchers consider key to successfully modeling material behavior. 

Potential Research Risks and Benefits

The research team has already made significant 

contributions in the field of multiscale theory. 

Their literature review has shown that the proposed theories build on pioneering options in 

The Exploratory Advanced Research Program Fact Sheet

Delivering Infrastructure Solutions

The research is aimed at delivering new multiscale theories and computational codes to simulate material responses, and demonstrate 

applicability to specific problems in transportation infrastructure. The study builds on existing 

advances in multiscale modeling theories with 

an aim to construct an algorithm for numerical 

simulation to enable modeling of material behavior at multiple scales as efficiently as possible, 

which can be applied to specific problems in 

transportation infrastructure for safer, more efficient, and sustainable infrastructure. The theory 

and the algorithm will also be examined in the 

selected areas of highway material applications, 

including sensor and structural health monitoring, 

and material behavior under dynamic impact 

loading. 

Materials, structures, and sensors are 

the building blocks of transportation infrastructure. With so many potential 

applications, a fundamental understanding of the diverse physical properties is 

essential for effective ongoing monitoring 

and maintenance. “Nano Material and 

Simulation by New Multiple Length/Time 

Scale Theories and Algorithms” is a multiyear Federal Highway Administration 

(FHWA) Exploratory Advanced Research 

(EAR) Program study, in partnership with 

the George Washington University, aimed 

at developing a new approach to understanding the physical behavior of 

materials covering multiple length and 

timescales.

Nano Material Modeling and Simulation 

Developing a New Approach to Understanding Material Behaviors by Multiple Length/Time Scale Theories
multiscale modeling methods. The team is minimizing research risks through small-scale simulations. A planned dissemination of research results through reputable refereed journals and 

conferences will also help to minimize risks and 

provide ongoing quality control.

“There are many potential benefits to be developed from this research. For example, it could 

lead to cost-effective repair of bridges and other 

structures, or the application of impact loading 

for safety of roadside and roadway appurtenances,” says Kunik Lee. “Additionally, structural 

health monitoring applications could improve 

the safety of infrastructure, including bridges, 

roads, and asphalt; impact dynamics applications could enhance the crashworthiness and 

safety of the roadways and roadside structures; 

and sensor design applications could enhance 

the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of traffic 

control devices.”

Plans for the Research

At the conclusion of this project, it is anticipated 

that FHWA will be able to utilize the new techniques and tools to investigate various material 

failures in roadside safety equipment, critical 

structural elements, or for structural health monitoring. In the long term, it is expected that the 

tools developed under this research will assist 

transportation engineers and managers to gain 

a better and more accurate understanding of 

material behavior in various segments of the 

transportation infrastructure—enabling improved 

material design and ultimately a more efficient, 

cost-effective, and sustainable transportation 

infrastructure. It is also anticipated that the findings of this study will be useful to various research or testing groups at FHWA, other USDOT 

agencies, academic institutions, State departments of transportation, and industry.

What Is the Exploratory 

Advanced Research Program?

FHWA’s Exploratory Advanced Research 

(EAR) Program focuses on long-term, 

high-risk research with a high payoff 

potential. The program addresses underlying gaps faced by applied highway 

research programs, anticipates emerging issues with national implications, and 

reflects broad transportation industry 

goals and objectives. 

To learn more about the EAR Program, visit the Exploratory Advanced 

Research Web site at www.fhwa.dot.gov/

advancedresearch. The site features information on research solicitations, updates 

on ongoing research, links to published 

materials, summaries of past EAR Program events, and details on upcoming 

events. For additional information, contact 

David Kuehn at FHWA, 202-493-3414 

(email: david.kuehn@dot.gov), or Terry 

Halkyard at FHWA, 202-493-3467 (email: 

terry.halkyard@dot.gov).

Learn More

For more information on this EAR Program project, contact Kunik Lee, Ph.D., FHWA Office of 

Safety Research and Development, at 202-493-

3491 (email: kunik.lee@dot.gov).

Publication No. 

FHWA-HRT-12-029

HRTM-30/3-12(1M)E

Nano Material Modeling and Simulation 

Developing a New Approach to Understanding Material Behaviors by Multiple Length/Time Scale Theories

Photo credit, page 1: 

© Shutterstock.com/

Jiri Vratislavsky