Vietnam Bridge & Road Magazine

Tạp chí Cầu đường — 2026-05-04

Contents

DEPARTMENT FOR ROADS OF VIETNAM DIRECTS THE ACCELERATION OF PROGRESS FOR REST STOP PROJECTS ON THE EAST NORTH-SOUTH EXPRESSWAY

Phóng viên — 2026-05-04

DEPARTMENT FOR ROADS OF VIETNAM DIRECTS THE ACCELERATION OF PROGRESS FOR REST STOP PROJECTS ON THE EAST NORTH-SOUTH EXPRESSWAY

LANG SON CONSTRUCTION QUALITY INSPECTION AND PLANNING CENTER CONTRIBUTES TO DEVELOPING LANG SON INTO A GROWTH POLE IN THE NORTH

Phóng viên — 2026-05-04

LANG SON CONSTRUCTION QUALITY INSPECTION AND PLANNING CENTER CONTRIBUTES TO DEVELOPING LANG SON INTO A GROWTH POLE IN THE NORTH

ASSESSMENT OF STEEL REINFORCEMENT CORROSION DURABILITY OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BRIDGE STRUCTURES IN MARINE ENVIRONMENTS USING THE FICK CHLORIDE DIFFUSION MODEL

PHẠM MỸ LINH — 2026-05-04

Corrosion of reinforcing steel caused by chloride ingress is one of the main factors reducing the durability and service life of reinforced concrete bridges operating in marine environments. Among the governing parameters, the thickness of the concrete cover and the chloride diffusion properties of concrete play a decisive role in determining the time to corrosion initiation.
This paper presents an assessment of the corrosion initiation time of reinforcing steel in typical structural members of Van Thanh Bridge (Lam Dong Province) under coastal environmental conditions, based on the chloride diffusion model according to Fick’s law. Calculations were carried out for four different structural components with varying concrete cover thicknesses and concrete strength levels, using input parameters representative of the local marine environment. The results indicate that the time to corrosion initiation increases significantly with increasing concrete cover thickness, whereas the use of higher-strength concrete provides limited improvement when the cover thickness is small. The findings highlight the importance of appropriate design parameters in enhancing corrosion resistance and extending the service life of reinforced concrete bridges in aggressive environments.

BIM WORKFLOW FOR ROAD TUNNEL DESIGN

Ngô Thanh Thủy — 2026-05-04

Developing BIM models for tunnel infrastructure remains challenging due to complex geometries, repetitive structural components, and the need for frequent updates when design changes occur. This study proposes a BIM workflow based on the application of Dynamo algorithms to automate the BIM modeling process for road tunnels. The proposed method is implemented through a case study of two tunnels within the An Phu interchange project in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The effectiveness of the Dynamo-based BIM workflow is evaluated using a set of quantitative and qualitative performance indicators, including modeling time, model update capability under design changes, and workflow reusability. The results demonstrate the practical applicability of automated BIM workflows for the design of transportation infrastructure projects in Vietnam.

INFLUENCE OF SUPPORT BOUNDARY CONDITIONS ON THE NATURAL VIBRATION CHARACTERISTICS OF CONCRETE BEAMS - ANALYSIS USING THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Hoàng Thị Tuyết — 2026-05-04

The natural vibration characteristics of concrete beams constitute an important basis for structural dynamic analysis and structural health monitoring. In many studies, the boundary conditions at supports are commonly idealized as rigid supports. However, in practical bridge structures, bearings always exhibit a certain degree of flexibility, which can significantly alter both the spectrum and the nature of the natural vibrations of the structure. This paper investigates the influence of rigid and elastic support boundary conditions on the natural vibration characteristics of a concrete beam using a three-dimensional finite element model. The results indicate that when the finite stiffness of the supports is taken into account, the lower-order vibration modes are no longer dominated by the bending deformation of the beam, but are primarily governed by rigid-body motion modes of the coupled beam-support system. The bending-dominated modes of the beam appear only at higher vibration orders, leading to a noticeable change in the sequence of mode occurrence compared with the rigid support case. The findings clarify the role of realistic boundary conditions in the vibration analysis of concrete beams and are of significant importance for the interpretation and mode identification of vibration measurement data in practical applications.

STUDY ON MIX DESIGN RATIOS OF POLYMER ASPHALT CONCRETE FOR EVALUATING QUALITY PERFORMANCE IN COMPARISON WITH CONVENTIONAL ASPHALT CONCRETE

Lê Thái Bình — 2026-05-04

The rapid development of the transportation infrastructure in Vietnam, under tropical monsoon climatic conditions and increasing traffic volumes, requires pavement materials with higher quality and durability than conventional asphalt concrete. Polymer-modified asphalt is considered one of the most effective modifiers, providing superior performance in terms of high-temperature stability, elasticity, and resistance to rutting. This study investigates the effects of different polymer contents (0%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) in hot mix asphalt and evaluates the corresponding mechanical and physical properties in accordance with current Vietnamese standards. Experimental results indicate that an content of 4% delivers the optimal overall performance, significantly enhancing Marshall stability, moisture resistance, and adhesion compared with conventional asphalt concrete. Further analyses elucidate the modification mechanisms of polymer on the mixture structure and propose practical application orientations for pavement engineering.

AN OVERVIEW EVALUATION OF USING ASPHALT-AGGREGATE ADHESION ADDITIVES FOR ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURES IN VIETNAM

NGUYỄN THANH LÊN — 2026-05-04

Asphalt concrete (AC) is a widely used pavement material in Vietnam. However, considering the combined effects of heavy traffic loading and a tropical humid climate, AC pavements frequently experience premature distresses such as cracking, stripping, rutting, and surface ravelling, which significantly reduce their serviceability and service life. Therefore, numerous domestic and international studies have demonstrated that the use of aggregate-asphalt adhesion additives is an effective solution to improve resistance to pavement distresses and extend the service life of pavement structures, thereby contributing to reduced maintenance costs. This paper presents an overview of research findings and applications of adhesion additives in asphalt concrete, and proposes directions for their selection and application in accordance with the material conditions, climate, and service conditions in Vietnam.

ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT SITUATION AND DEVELOPMENT ORIENTATION FOR TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS IN THE AIRPORT - AERODROME (CHK-SB) SECTOR

Nguyễn Quốc Văn — 2026-05-04

The airport system plays a crucial role in Vietnam’s economic development and international integration, especially as rapidly growing air transport demand has driven the modernization of infrastructure. Since the early 21st century, the airport network has experienced significant expansion with large-scale projects, gradually meeting regional and international standards. In parallel, the system of technical standards and regulations has been developed and refined, referencing international organizations such as ICAO, IATA, FAA, and ACI, thereby improving the quality of design, construction, and operation. However, in practice, many standards remain incomplete or not fully suited to local conditions, particularly for specialized equipment such as security, lighting, and navigation systems, as well as the country’s climate and geotechnical characteristics. This has led to a certain dependence on international standards and challenges in operation and maintenance. In the context of rapid technological advancement and increasingly stringent safety requirements, it is essential to continue reviewing, supplementing, and improving the standards system, aiming toward a transition by 2050 from merely “referencing international standards” to “harmonizing and proactively leading,” thereby establishing a foundation for a modern, safe, sustainable, and well-integrated airport system.

IMPORTANCE OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT DESIGN FOR VARIOUS CLIMATIC ZONES: A PROPOSAL FOR VIETNAM

Hoàng Thanh Thuý — 2026-05-04

Vietnam is one of nations having its territory located along numerous latitudes. Thus, Vietnam’s climate is various in different geographical areas while flexible pavement performance is remarkably dependent on environmental conditions. Therefore, pavement design in general and flexible pavement design in particular should be carried out under Vietnam’s climatic zones, especially for freeways and expressways being suffered from heavy loads and high traffic volumes. This is aimed at striclty implementing economic - engineering - environmental principles in transport construction projects. Via literature review and analyses by applying their specialized knowledge and experience, the authors have introduced a general overview of some flexible pavement design methods accompanied with consideration of climatic factors in the world in order to create a proposal for Vietnam.

MEASURING THE IMPACT OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SELECTION OF CONTRACTORS FOR GREEN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Phạm Phú Cường — 2026-05-04

This study aims to identify the factors influencing the selection of contractors for green building construction projects in Ho Chi Minh City. Data were collected from 110 construction experts and analyzed using linear regression analysis. The results indicate that six groups of factors-policy and institutional, environmental, socio-economic, technical and cost-related, contractor characteristics, and contractor capability-have positive effects on contractor selection, with contractor capability and policy-institutional factors exerting the strongest influence. The findings provide a scientific basis for improving contractor selection criteria to promote green building development in Ho Chi Minh City.

RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT OF STEEL TRUSS BRIDGES CONSIDERING NON-NORMAL DISTRIBUTION OF CROSS-SECTIONAL DIMENSIONS

PHẠM XUÂN TÙNG — 2026-05-04

This study presents the reliability assessment of a steel truss bridge on the displacement at mid-span based on Monte Carlo simulation. Area of cross section, Young’s modulus, and applied loads are considered as random variables. The focus of the study is the influence of the area of cross-section distribution on the reliability analysis results. Two different approaches are applied and compared. In the first approach, the dimensional geometries of the cross-section are considered as random variables with a non-normal Pearson Type III distribution, from which the cross-sectional area is determined through the geometric relationship between the component dimensions. In the second approach, the area of cross section is directly assumed to be a random variable with a normal distribution, with corresponding statistical parameters. The parameters of other random variables such as material strength, elastic modulus, and loads are chosen to be the same in both approaches. The results are used to assess the impact of specific areas of cross-section distributions on the reliability of the analysis results.

PROPOSED QUALITY CONTROL FOR COLD IN-PLACE RECYCLING TECHNOLOGY USING FOAMED ASPHALT COMBINED WITH CEMENT FOR PAVEMENT STRUCTURES IN VIETNAM

Bùi Thị Mai Hương — 2026-05-04

Cold in-place recycling (CIR) using foamed bitumen combined with cement is an advanced pavement rehabilitation technology that promotes reuse of existing materials while reducing natural resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Although CIR has been increasingly studied and applied worldwide and has been preliminarily implemented in Vietnam, its wider application is constrained by the lack of technical guidelines and quality control procedures adapted to local conditions. This paper reviews the scientific basis of CIR technology, analyzes key factors affecting the performance of recycled layers, and proposes a feasible quality control framework for Vietnamese conditions. The results show that cold recycled layers can achieve a 7-day compressive strength of about 1.5-2.5 MPa and an elastic modulus of 1,500-3,000 MPa, meeting the requirements for base layers of low- and medium-class highways.

DEVELOPING A ROAD TRANSPORT NETWORK CONNECTING SEAPORTS AND INDUSTRIAL ZONES: A STRATEGIC SOLUTION TO OPTIMIZE LOGISTICS COSTS IN THE CENTRAL COASTAL REGION OF VIETNAM

Nguyễn Văn Tám — 2026-05-04

This study focuses on the strategic role of the road transport network in connecting seaports and industrial zones (IPs) in the Central Coast of Vietnam, a region with great economic potential but facing challenges of high logistics costs. This context requires infrastructure optimization to enhance competitiveness. The research gap is identified as the lack of comprehensive analytical works focusing on micro-infrastructure (last-mile connectivity) between production clusters and import-export gateways in a specific economic region, instead of just considering macro-national routes. The main objective of the paper is to assess the current situation, identify bottlenecks and propose feasible policy solutions. The research results indicate that the lack of synchronization in planning and quality of direct connecting routes is the main cause of increased transportation costs and time. The article proposes an integrated infrastructure development model, prioritizing public-private partnership (PPP) investment and applying smart transport technology, thereby contributing to creating an effective and sustainable logistics ecosystem for the entire region.

OPTIMIZING THE LOGISTICS SERVICE CHAIN FOR EXPORTED CATFISH IN THE MEKONG DELTA REGION: SITUATION ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC SOLUTION ORIENTATIONS.

Đặng Thị Hoa — 2026-05-04

This study investigates the imperative of optimizing logistics service chains for the exported tra fish industry in the Mekong Delta (MD), a pivotal economic sector in Vietnam. Globalization and escalating market demands pose significant challenges to logistics efficiency. The current research gap lies in the absence of an integrated, comprehensive analysis of the prevailing situation and a synchronized strategic solution framework for the tra fish logistics value chain within the region. The primary objective is to analyze influencing factors, assess the current state, and propose effective logistics development solutions. Findings reveal inconsistencies in infrastructure, technology, and supply chain linkages, leading to elevated costs and diminished competitiveness. Proposed solutions emphasize infrastructure investment, technology adoption, enhanced collaboration, and policy refinement, aiming to boost efficiency and sustainability.

WHY JAPANESE TRAINS ARE ALWAYS ON TIME

Lê Văn Quang — 2026-05-04

Traveling by train is more prevalent in Japan than in most other countries around the world. Statistics from the OECD showed that in 2021, 28% of passenger kilometers in Japan were traveled by rail, compared to just 0.25% in the United States and 5% in the United Kingdom.
A large part of this frequent use is due to the excellence of their railway system-particularly evident in the iconic Shinkansen or bullet train-which puts many others to shame.
From the unparalleled speed to its impressive safety record and the comfort it offers, to the JR Pass that gives you unlimited access to transportation all around Japan, the Japanese rail system is a marvel of modern transportation. However, the standout feature that truly sets it apart is its punctuality.