Investigation of using conductive asphalt concrete with carbon fiber additives in intelligent anti-icing systems

ABSTRACT

In winter, ice on the roads causes traffic accidents and congestion. In recent years, various techniques have been developed to provide more effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly solutions to the problem of road icing. One of these is electrically conductive asphalt concrete (CAC). This study aims to develop an intelligent anti-icing system by increasing the conductivity and mechanical properties of asphalt concrete. Two different conductive asphalt series were produced. Series 1 uses a binder modified with 3% styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) block copolymer and Series 2 uses a binder modified with both 3% SBS and 14% carbon black (CB). In both series, 0.3% carbon fiber (CF) by weight was added to the dry mixture. Thermal dissipation status, ice melting performance, freezing, and electrical conductivity heating cycle tests were conducted. The long-term mechanical and conductivity performances of CAC specimens were assessed with pre-and post-cycle experiments. CAC, developed for its conductivity and mechanical properties, was integrated with the intelligent anti-icing system. A comparative cost analysis was also performed to assess conventional asphalt concrete and the CAC. The binder phase was found to contribute to the mixture conductivity. Such systems can be integrated with Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).

KEYWORDS:

• Electrically conductive asphalt concrete (CAC)
• anti-icing
• intelligent transportation systems (ITS)
• intelligent anti-icing system

Disclosure statement

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

Acknowledgements

This research was sponsored by the Afyon Kocatepe University, Scientific Research Projects Coordination Department (Grant Number: 19.FEN.BİL.45). The authors wish to express their gratitude to the Afyon Kocatepe University, Coordination Department of Scientific Research Projects.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Afyon Kocatepe University, Scientific Research Projects Coordination Department [Grant Number 19.FEN.BİL.45].