Overview

The Nottingham Centre for Pavement Engineering (NCPE) is housed in the Pavement Research Building in the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Nottingham. The purpose-built laboratory, covering more than 2300 m2 in area, was opened in 2001 and houses research, teaching and commercial activities in pavement engineering. The range of work covers all aspects of pavement engineering and rail track research, and much of the testing is undertaken to support these activities.

Nottingham has long been associated with excellence in pavement research, and services to the asphalt industry, and this has been summarised by the Founding Director of NCPE, Professor SF Brown.

A particular feature of recent developments is a 10-year contract with Shell Bitumen and Shell Global Solutions to provide them with technical services. This has resulted in a pooling of equipment which is available for commercial testing as well as for Shell work and University research. The new facility, well equipped laboratory, recruitment and training of skilled laboratory staff, access to research staff and other multidisciplinary resources, and an independent viewpoint, have greatly enhanced the capabilities of NCPE Commercial Services to undertake both simple and complex testing of bitumen, asphalt and other pavement construction materials.

Careful attention to issues of confidentiality, quality and HSSE ensures that research and testing for commercial clients can be carried out with assurance.