Carbon fiber-based electrically conductive concrete for salt-free deicing of pavements

Abstract

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.

Durability and Electrical Conductivity of Carbon Fiber Cloth/Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber Composite for Active Deicing and Snow Melting

“…As can be seen from Table 6, when the input power is 80 W/m 2 , 160 W/m 2 and 320 W/m 2 , the corresponding temperature rise rates are 5.6 • C/h, 8.4 • C/h and 12.4 • C/h, respectively. Compared with other active deicing methods [10,37,38], the input power is lower and the temperature rises faster. It shows that the conductive EPDM rubber composite material can more effectively realize road deicing and snow removal.…”

Cement composites with expanded graphite as resistance heating elements

“…Therefore, it is necessary to introduce effective conductive additives into the cement matrix in order to reduce the resistivity of cement composites. Conductive additives such as carbon fibers, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] carbon nanotubes, 16,17 steel fibers, 10,[18][19][20] graphite, 10,[21][22][23] metal particles, 24,25 and hybrid addition [26][27][28][29] have been used in cement composites as resistance heating elements. Suitable electrical conductivity is attained when the volume of the conducting additive exceeds the percolation threshold, i.e.…”

Conductive concrete made from recycled carbon fibres for self-heating and de-icing applications in urban furniture

“…Most current functional properties in smart concrete are based on the incorporation of functional fillers or aggregates to generate conductive properties in the material. Conductive concrete has been used as anode for electrochemical chloride extraction (5)(6)(7)(8), electromagnetic wave shielding (9, 10), self-sensing concrete (11)(12)(13)(14), cathodic protection (15), energy harvesting (16,17) and electrothermal control (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31), among others.…”

“…Electrothermal concrete refers to the material achieving electrical resistance heating based on the Joule effect. Research on electrothermal concrete has been mainly focused on deicing and snow melting applications in roadways (19)(20)(21)(22)(25)(26)(27), and indoor electrical floor heating (24,28). Since conventional concrete behaves as a dielectric material, electrically conductive fillers such as carbon fibers, steel fibers, steel shaving, nickel powders and graphite are incorporated to reduce the resistivity of concrete (32).…”