Traditional methods of removing snow/ice from pavements involve application of deicing salts and mechanical removal that carry environmental concerns. In this study, the feasibility of applying carbon fiberbased electrically conductive concrete (ECON) in heated pavement systems (HPS) as an alternative to traditional methods was investigated. Optimum carbon fiber dosage to achieve desirable electrical conductivity and avoid excessive fiber use was determined by studying carbon fiber percolation in different cementitious composites. System design was evaluated by finite element (FE) analysis. Heating performance in terms of energy consumption regime was studied by quasi-long-term (460-day) experimental study using a prototype ECON slab. Percolation transition zone of carbon fiber in paste, mortar, and concrete were respectively 0.25-1% (Vol.), 0.6-1% (Vol.), and 0.5-0.75% (Vol.). Optimum fiber dosage in ECON with respect to conductivity was 0.75%, resulting in volume conductivity of 1.86 × 10−2 (S/cm) at 28 days and 1.22 × 10−2(S/cm) at 460 days of age. Electrical-energy-to-heat-energy conversion efficiency decreased from 66% at 28 days to 50% at 460-day age. The results showed that the studied technology could be effectively applied for ice/snow melting on pavement surfaces and provide a feasible alternative to traditional methods if the ECON mixing proportions and system configurations are made with necessary precautions.
Ice and snow on airport pavements can contribute to flight cancellations and delays. Traditional deicing methods that involve chemical or salt application can cause environmental or structural damage to airport infrastructure. Electric heated pavements, in which electric heating energy is transferred to the pavement via embedded insulated conductors or conductive materials to maintain surface temperatures above freezing, have gained attention as a promising technology for mitigating snow and ice accumulation. The objective of the study was to identify the requirements of an electrically conductive concrete (ECON) heated pavement system to achieve cost-effective performance. A small-scale prototype ECON heated slab was designed and constructed with the optimized ECON mixture recently developed at Iowa State University and then tested to determine its performance and efficiency. The energy consumption and energy cost of the prototype ECON slab were found to be the lowest of the electric heated pavement systems developed to date. The cost-effective two-layer design also can be implemented for large-scale ECON-based heated pavements by using a precast concrete technique, concrete overlay, and two-lift paving. From the prototype ECON slab results, a design flow chart and three-dimensional visualizations were developed to discuss the design and construction procedures for real, large-scale applications.
Airport agencies spend millions of dollars to remove ice and snow from airport pavement surfaces to achieve accessible, safe, and sustainable operations during the winter. Electrically conductive concrete (ECON) based heated pavement system (HPS) has gained attention as a promising alternative technology for preventing snow and ice accumulation by maintaining pavement surface temperatures above the freezing point. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the world’s first full-scale ECON-based HPS at a U.S. airport. Two ECON slabs were designed and constructed in the General Aviation (GA) apron at the Des Moines International Airport (DSM), Iowa in 2016. Systematic design components were identified, and construction procedures were developed and implemented for ECON-based HPS. Using collected sensor data, the performance of the constructed and remotely-operated ECON slabs was evaluated under real weather conditions at DSM in the 2016–2017 winter season. The results demonstrate that ECON-based HPS have promising deicing and anti-icing capacities, promising to provide uniform heat distribution and prevent snow and ice accumulations on the entire area of application under various winter weather conditions, including extreme cold weather (i.e., arctic blasts).
The use of deicing chemical has the potential to cause environmental and safety concerns and pavement deterioration. Hydronic heated pavement systems (HHPS) have been widely used to melt or prevent ice and snow accumulation on paved surfaces. HHPS uses heated fluid circulated through pipes embedded in the concrete pavement to warm the surface of the concrete. The objective of this study is to develop a conceptual design framework and construction guidance for large-scale HHPS using precast concrete pavement (PCP) technology to expedite construction work and minimize air travel disruption. The detailed design and 3-D visualization of construction procedures has been developed for HHPS using PCP technology. The outcome of this study will help contractors and transportation agencies to envision the constructability of different components in HHPS, including tubing patterns and construction procedures.
Ice and snow accumulation on airport paved surfaces has the potential to cause fatal accidents and monetary loss due to flight delays and cancellations. Traditional de-icing methods involving the application of chemicals or salt and employing large machines can create negative environmental and structural impact on airport infrastructure systems. These methods are also considered to be labor intensive and a safety hazard, especially in congested areas such as aprons. Heated pavement systems using electrically conductive concrete (ECON) have been proposed as a promising alternative technology for preventing ice accumulation and mitigating the adverse effects of using traditional snow removal methods. The objective of this study is to present information and experience about the design, construction procedures, and performance of heated pavement systems using jointed plain concrete pavements for the construction of large-scale heated airport pavements. It is based on detailed field demonstration of the electrically conductive concrete (ECON) heated pavement system (HPS) at the north general aviation (GA) apron of the Des Moines International Airport (DSM) in Iowa, in collaboration with contractors, and airport staff representatives. The expected outcome of this study will help the construction industry to better understand optimal ECON construction methods. Disciplines Civil and Environmental Engineering | Construction Engineering and Management | Electrical and Computer Engineering | Transportation Engineering CommentsThis is a manuscript of a proceeding published as Abdualla, Hesham, Halil Ceylan, Kristen S. Cetin, Sunghwan Kim, Peter C. Taylor ABSTRACTIce and snow accumulation on airport paved surfaces has the potential to cause fatal accidents and monetary loss due to flight delays and cancellations. Traditional deicing methods involving the application of chemicals or salt and employing large machines can create negative environmental and structural impact on airport infrastructure systems. These methods are also considered to be labor intensive and a safety hazard, especially in congested areas such as aprons. Heated pavement systems using Electrically Conductive Concrete (ECON) have been proposed as a promising alternative technology for preventing ice accumulation and mitigating the adverse effects of using traditional snow removal methods. The objective of this study is to present information and experience about the design, construction procedures, and performance of heated pavement systems using jointed plain concrete pavements for the construction of large-scale heated airport pavements. It is based on detailed field demonstration of the electrically conductive concrete (ECON) heated pavement system (HPS) at the north general aviation (GA) apron of the Des Moines International Airport (DSM) in Iowa, in collaboration with contractors, and airport staff representatives. The expected outcome of this study will help the construction industry to better understand optimal ECON construction methods.
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