Burhan Showkat

Postdoctoral Fellow · Virginia Tech

Burhan Showkat

Advancing resilient pavement infrastructure through mechanics, materials, and data.

Portrait of Burhan Showkat

Virginia Tech · VTTI

I am a Postdoctoral Fellow at Virginia Tech, affiliated with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI). My research examines how asphalt materials and pavement networks respond to moisture, traffic, recycled materials, and climate hazards. Across material and infrastructure scales, I connect chemistry and rheology with durability, structural capacity, and resilience.

I combine laboratory characterisation, mechanistic modelling, and data-driven analysis to develop calibrated thresholds and decision-support tools for highway agencies and industry.

Current investigations

Pavement resilience

Hazards & recovery

Current research

Reflective cracking

Interlayers & CNNs

Current research

Marshall-RT mechanics

Loads & stress fields

Current research

Random matrices & LCA

Uncertainty & comparisons

Exploratory

Diagram note Conceptual schematics, not research results.

Explore Research Download CV

Current Research

Making pavement resilience computable.

I am developing a mechanics-informed framework to connect flood exposure, pavement performance, and recovery decisions, from individual sections to road networks.

The physical problem

Flood exposure. A changing pavement.

Conceptual flooded pavement cutaway An isometric road section shows rainfall, translucent floodwater, an asphalt surface, an aggregate base, and soil beneath. Numbered callouts identify floodwater, asphalt, and supporting layers. Dashed blue paths suggest moisture entering the section. This is an idealised schematic, not measured damage or calculated results. 123
1Floodwater 2Asphalt 3Supporting layers

Hazard

How likely, and how intense?

Resilience

How much function is retained and regained?

Risk

What losses are expected?

Reliability

How likely is acceptable performance?

Conceptual trajectory

Performance lost. Performance regained.

Illustrative, not calibrated
Conceptual pavement resilience trajectory Asset capacity begins at one hundred percent, decreases through absorptive and adaptive phases after a hazard begins, remains at a reduced level until the hazard ends, and then returns to full capacity in this illustrative scenario. Shading between the curve and full capacity represents a capacity shortfall. The time axis is in days, but no calibrated durations are implied. Baseline Normal operation Absorb Initial response Adapt Function through disruption Recover Restore performance Capacity shortfall relative to full capacity 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Hazardbegins Further capacityloss Hazard endsRecovery begins Full capacity Reduced service Capacity available (%) Time (days)

Scroll the plot horizontally to explore the full trajectory.

WithstandRemain serviceable AbsorbLimit immediate loss AdaptFunction through disruption RecoverRestore performance
Diagram note Shading shows capacity shortfall; full recovery is illustrative, not guaranteed. Conceptual curve adapted from Cordero et al. (2024).

Research in progress

Manuscript Flood hazard functions Internal review Conference paper · PIARC 2027 Annual flood hazard models Under review Manuscript Resilience framework In preparation Conference paper · TRB 2027 Flood resilience assessment Accepted for presentation · Further TRR assessment Research software Decision-support tools Planned

Research team

Burhan Showkat, Shantonu Hore Joti, Eugene Amarh, Gerardo Flintsch, and Debakanta Mishra.

Current Research · Mechanics + Computer Vision

Reflective-crack propagation.

I am exploring how interlayers influence reflective cracking under monotonic loading, with CNN modelling and pixel-level image analysis to track changes in the specimen and the evolving crack front.

The physical question

Where does the crack stop, turn, or continue?

Conceptual reflective-crack path through an interlayer system A crack bifurcates below an interlayer. One branch arrests at the lower interface, while the other crosses the interlayer, reaches the upper interface, and spreads slightly downward and to the right. Upper asphalt layerLower asphalt layer Interlayer 123

  1. Crack arrest

    One branch stops at the lower interface.

  2. Interlayer crossing

    The other branch reaches the upper interface.

  3. Lateral spreading

    The path follows the interface, then turns slightly down and right.

Conceptual illustrationTwo asphalt layers separated by a thin interlayer. The schematic illustrates possible crack paths, not calculated results.
The image-based perspective

From image pairs to an evolving crack map.

01 / Observe

Compare image frames

Illustrative reference and later specimen images, with a growing crack and a highlighted image patch ReferenceLater frame

Follow local image changes as the specimen deforms.

02 / Learn

Explore CNN features

Conceptual convolutional feature maps linking image changes to crack evidence, not a specified network architecture Image featuresCrack evidence

Investigate learned features that help distinguish crack edges.

03 / Track

Trace pixel-level growth

Illustrative crack-edge pixels at successive stages, with a shared earlier path and a later extension EarlierLater

Track crack-front evolution across a sequence of images.

Proposed research direction. All images are illustrative; model design, training details, and results are not shown.

  • Interlayer mechanics
  • CNN modelling
  • Pixel-level tracking
Research tool in development

Related work: Zhu & Al-Qadi (2023), optical-flow-based deep learning for crack-propagation measurement in asphalt concrete.

Research team

Burhan Showkat, Gbolahan Oladji, Shantonu Hore Joti, and Debakanta Mishra.

Current Research · Analytical Mechanics

The mechanics behind Marshall-RT.

I have developed an analytical formulation of the Marshall-RT test and compared it with mathematical solutions for the indirect tensile (IDT) and IDEAL-RT tests. The work connects the applied load and contact geometry to stresses within the asphalt specimen.

Original test development

The Marshall-RT test was originally developed by Vamsikrishna Gavadakatla and Prof. Dharamveer Singh at IIT Bombay (Vamsikrishna & Singh, 2023).

The central question

What changes when the contacts change?

Loaded contact regions

Marshall-RT

Study focus
Idealised Marshall-RT contact layout A narrow upper loading contact and a broad curved lower support surround a circular specimen. The lower support ends slightly below the horizontal diameter. Arrows indicate a downward applied load and an upward support resultant.

Narrow upper contact.
Broad curved lower support.

IDT

Reference configuration
Idealised indirect tensile test contact layout A circular specimen is compressed through two opposed narrow contacts, centred on the vertical diameter.

Two opposed narrow contacts.
A diametral loading arrangement.

IDEAL-RT

Reference configuration
Idealised IDEAL-RT contact layout A circular specimen has one upper loading contact and two separated lower support contacts. The lower arrows point inward toward the specimen.

One upper contact.
Two separated lower supports.

Diagram note Idealised contact layouts, not to scale. Arrows show loading directions, not force magnitudes; these are not calculated stress fields.
Why this matters

A measured load is only part of the picture. Understanding the contact arrangement helps interpret the stresses it produces and compare what different laboratory tests reveal about an asphalt mixture.

Scope

The manuscript is complete and under internal review. Detailed derivations and results are not shown here.

Background on test mechanics: Luo et al. (2022).

Exploratory research direction

Random matrices & life cycle assessment.

I am exploring connections between random matrix methods and life cycle assessment, with an interest in how uncertainty affects environmental comparisons.

The guiding question

When the inputs are uncertain, how reliable is the comparison?

01

Connected systems

A conceptual network of linked production processes

Materials, energy, and processes are linked across a life cycle.

02

Uncertain data

A conceptual matrix with varying cell shades representing uncertain inputs, not numerical values

Inventory estimates vary. Their uncertainty can be shared.

03

Careful comparisons

Two alternatives on a level balance, symbolising an open environmental comparison rather than a finding AB

The question is not just the impact, but confidence in the comparison.

Conceptual illustrationThese visuals introduce the research question; they do not show data, results, or a validated method.
Possible pavement application

Environmental comparisons of pavement materials and maintenance strategies.

Early-stage exploration

Starting point: Heijungs & Suh (2002), The Computational Structure of Life Cycle Assessment.

Research Landscape

Academic Interests

A core pavement research programme supported by complementary computational and construction methods.

Research throughline

01Characterise From mixture structure to material response Angular aggregates and fine particles within a binder matrix, beside an illustrative response curve. This is a conceptual schematic, not measured data. Material response Binder & mixture 02Model A layered pavement under load An isometric road section with textured material layers, a surface contact patch, and dashed lines suggesting load transfer into the structure. The response is illustrative. Pavement performance Asset & structure 03Inform Connecting assets to network decisions An illustrative road network over map blocks and a watercourse, with one corridor and its connected junctions highlighted. This is not a geographic map or an optimised route. Infrastructure decisions Network & life cycle

Connected scales, from laboratory evidence to infrastructure decisions.

Diagram note Schematics are illustrative.

Binder + mixture scale

Materials & Mechanics

  • Rheology of Asphalt Binders & Mixes
  • Moisture Damage Resistance of Asphalt Binders & Mixes
  • Mechanistic Performance Assessment of Asphalt Binders & Mixes
  • Recycling of Asphalt Mixes
Asset + structural scale

Pavement Systems

  • Distresses in Flexible & Rigid Pavements
  • Design, Maintenance, Repair & Rehabilitation of Flexible & Rigid Pavements
  • Forensic Investigation of Flexible & Rigid Pavements
Network + life-cycle scale

Resilience & Sustainability

  • Road Infrastructure Resilience
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Road Infrastructure
Complementary methods Extending the central pavement programme.
Construction method3D Concrete Printing
Computational methodMachine Learning

Research Software

Methods made usable.

These tools translate mechanics, uncertainty, and field evidence into workflows for pavement screening and intervention planning.

Deflection bowl response zones A Falling Weight Deflectometer load produces a deflection bowl interpreted through base, middle, and lower layer index zones. APPLIED LOAD ≈300 mm ≈600 mm BLI Base Layer Index Asphalt + base MLI Middle Layer Index Base + subbase LLI Lower Layer Index Subbase + subgrade ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 3 FWD response zones / not to scale
Development status

Deployable calculator

Deflection Bowl Parameter Calculator

Purpose

Computes network-level structural indicators from Falling Weight Deflectometer data and supports calibrated screening of heavily overlaid asphalt pavements.

Available actions

Related manuscript Request a demo
Spatial pothole repair bundles A road corridor with severity-weighted pothole sites, selected seed locations, and two spatially coherent repair bundles. BUNDLE 01 BUNDLE 02 Severity site Selected seed Repair bundle Joint severity / spatial repair bundles
Development status

Research prototype

Pothole Management Tool

Purpose

Combines copula-based joint-exceedance severity with a span-constrained seed-and-bundle algorithm to group repairs into operationally coherent interventions.

Available actions

Related manuscript Request a demo
Reflective-crack mitigation by an asphalt interlayer A red underlying crack bifurcates below a thin interlayer. One branch arrests at the lower interface; the other enters the interlayer, turns black, rises to the upper interface, and propagates laterally to the right. UPPER OVERLAY LOWER CRACKED LAYER CRACK ARREST DEFLECTION / SPREADING UPWARD PROPAGATION Bifurcation / arrest / interlayer spreading
Development status

In development

Reflective-Crack Propagation Tool

Purpose

A mechanics-based tool for assessing how pavement interlayers influence reflective-crack initiation and propagation under monotonic loading.

Available action

Discuss the project

Recent Works

Manuscripts and conference contributions at the intersection of mechanics, infrastructure resilience, spatial optimisation, and machine learning.

View all publications
2026

Featured current work

Internal review

Proxy-Based Annual Flood Hazard Functions for Pavement Resilience Assessment in Virginia

Burhan Showkat, Shantonu Hore Joti, Eugene Amarh, Gerardo Flintsch, and Debakanta Mishra.

Completed manuscript under internal review by my postdoctoral supervisor.

  • Flood Hazards
  • Pavement Resilience
  • Virginia
Full record Research programme

In Preparation

A Mechanics-Based Framework for Pavement Resilience Assessment with an Application to Flooding

Burhan Showkat, Shantonu Hore Joti, Eugene Amarh, Gerardo Flintsch, and Debakanta Mishra. A framework for quantifying structural loss and recovery under flood exposure.

  • Road Infrastructure Resilience
  • Flexible Pavements
  • Mechanics-Based Methodology
Full record Research programme
2026

Internal Review

Analytical Stress Solution and Mechanical Interpretation of the Marshall-RT Test

Burhan Showkat, Vamsikrishna Gavadakatla, and Dharamveer Singh.

Completed manuscript under internal review.

  • Analytical Mechanics
  • Marshall-RT
  • IDT & IDEAL-RT
Full record
2026

Under Review

Multidimensional Pothole Management via Copula-Based Joint Exceedance and Span-Constrained Seed-and-Bundle Spatial Optimization

Burhan Showkat, Mirza Ghouse Baig, Fahad Fardan Alqahtani, Debakanta Mishra, Mohammed Al-Osta, and Suleiman Abdulrahman. Under review in International Journal of Pavement Engineering.

  • Pothole Management
  • Spatial Optimization
  • Pavement Engineering
Full record Research tool
2026

Under Review

Thickness-Aware Deflection-Bowl Benchmarks for Network Screening of Heavily Overlaid Asphalt Pavements: Calibrated Thresholds, Forensic Validation, and Deployable Software

Burhan Showkat and Dharamveer Singh. Under review in International Journal of Pavement Engineering.

  • Deflection Bowls
  • Forensic Validation
  • Asphalt Pavements
Full record Research tool
2026

Under Review

Cross-Modality Laboratory and Machine Learning Assessment of Stone Mastic Asphalt with Construction and Demolition Waste

Burhan Showkat, Waqas Rafiq, Suleiman Abdulrahman, Ali Mohammed Babalghaith, Fahad Fardan Alqahtani, Syed Masiur Rahman, and Mohammed Al-Osta. Under review in International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology.

  • Machine Learning
  • Stone Mastic Asphalt
  • Construction and Demolition Waste
Full record
2027

Accepted for presentation · TRB 2027

Toward Quantitative Assessment of Flood-Related Pavement Resilience: Initial Framework Development and a Representative Case Study for DOT Asset Management

Burhan Showkat, Shantonu Hore Joti, Eugene Amarh, Debakanta Mishra, and Gerardo Flintsch.

106th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., January 2027.

Accepted for presentation following peer review. Recommended for further assessment by the Transportation Research Record (TRR) Editorial Board.

  • Flood Hazards
  • Pavement Resilience
  • Asset Management
Full record Research programme
2027

Under review · PIARC 2027

Annual Flood Hazard Models for Pavement Resilience Planning: A Virginia Case Study

Burhan Showkat, Eugene Amarh, Gerardo Flintsch, and Debakanta Mishra.

PIARC XXVIII World Road Congress, Vancouver, Canada, 4–8 October 2027.

Submitted to the congress; under review.

  • Flood Hazards
  • Pavement Resilience
  • Virginia
Full record Research programme

Contact and Collaboration

I welcome collaborations that connect fundamental material behaviour with practical infrastructure decisions.

01 Infrastructure resilience

Hazard response, recovery, and decisions from pavement sections to corridors.

02 Pavement-material mechanics

Rheology, moisture damage, recycling, durability, and reflective cracking.

03 Research software and data

Transparent analysis, validation, and deployable engineering tools.

burhanshowkat@vt.edu Curriculum Vitae
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