Multi-functional conductive cementitious composites including phase change materials (PCM) with snow/ice melting capability

ABSTRACT

To remove snow/ice collected on surface of pavements is a must to prevent not only significant structural damages of infrastructures but also traffic accidents, however, today’s methods require higher labour and maintenance costs. Producing phase change materials (PCM)- and carbon fibre (CF)-incorporated multifunctional composites with melting snow/ice capability can be a cost effective alternative compared to mechanical methods and heating systems. In this study, the cementitious composites were produced adding 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8% PCM, by weight of the cement and 0.0, 0.1, 0.3% CF, by volume of the mixture. The composites were compared in means of ice melting performance and the damage resulted from freezing and thawing, applying two different simulations in a freeze–thaw cabinet: −10/+10°C and −20/+20°C. In addition, their compressive strength and consistency results were considered with their SEM analysis. As a result of the studies, the optimum CF ratio, which contributes the most to the melting ice performance of PCM-containing composites, was found to be 0.1% by volume. However, in freeze–thaw simulations, CFs increased the temperature amplitudes and PCMs were able to partially prevent this increase. While PCMs increased the workability of the composites and decreased their strength, CFs adversely affected both their workability and strength.

KEYWORDS:

• Multi-functional
• cementitious composites
• self-melting
• phase change materials
• electrical resistivity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors gladly acknowledge the financial support granted by Türkiye’s Scientific and Technical Research Council (TUBITAK) under Project: [121M943].