Evaluating Full-Scale Electrically Conductive Concrete Heated-Pavement Systems to Identify Key Design Parameters
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2025-01-28
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American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Abstract
While Electrically-Conductive Concrete (ECON) Heated-Pavement Systems (HPS) is a promising alternative to traditional snow removal methods, the lack of design guidelines for future ECON projects hinders their widespread adoption. This study addresses the gap by identifying critical design parameters for future ECON systems. In order to achieve this goal, the performance of two existing full-scale demonstration ECON projects, Des Moines International Airport (DSM) and the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), was evaluated. A laboratory investigation was conducted to gain a deeper insight into the heating mechanism of the ECON HPS. Critical design parameters for developing a comprehensive design methodology for ECON systems were identified through construction and performance data analysis. These parameters include
electrode-concrete interface area, electrode placement depth, electrode spacing, the electrical resistivity of the concrete, and applied voltage. Laboratory results suggest that each ECON system has a threshold voltage level, and if the applied voltage is beyond that threshold voltage, the heating performance of the system may deteriorate and can take longer to melt the pavement ice, increasing the energy consumption cost. The insights provided by this study contribute to understanding the long-term performance and critical design considerations for ECON HPS, and the findings emphasize the importance of adhering to appropriate design parameters to ensure optimal system performance and longevity. Moreover, the identified critical design parameters serve as a foundation for developing comprehensive design guidelines for facilitating the implementation of ECON systems used for efficient snow removal on pavements.
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This is a manuscript of an article published as Rahman, Md Lutfor, Amir Malakooti, Halil Ceylan, Sunghwan Kim, and Peter C. Taylor. "Evaluating Full-Scale Electrically Conductive Concrete Heated-Pavement Systems to Identify Key Design Parameters." Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part B: Pavements 151, no. 2 (2025): 04025001. doi: https://doi.org/10.1061/JPEODX.PVENG-1542.
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