Investigation on Deicing Property of Steel Wool Fiber‐Reinforced Asphalt Mixture by Induction Heating

Abstract

In order to effectively solve the traffic safety problem caused by snow and ice covering the pavement in winter, steel wool fibers with different length and content were adopted in asphalt mixture to investigate its deicing performance. The deicing principle of steel wool fiber asphalt mixture by induction heating was expounded. Effects of different ice thicknesses, output currents, and ambient temperatures for asphalt mixture deicing performance were studied using an indoor-simulated induction heating deicing test. The deicing mechanism of steel wool fiber asphalt mixture by induction heating was analyzed. Grey relation entropy analysis between the average melting ice rate and the influencing factors was determined. The results show that the average ice melting rate of the asphalt mixture increases with the increase in steel wool fiber length and content. The steel wool fiber asphalt mixture heated by electromagnetic induction obtains satisfactory result. The average melting ice rate of asphalt mixture containing 6% steel wool fiber with a length of 3 mm can reach 0.50°C·s−1 at an ambient temperature of −5°C. The thinner the ice and the higher the ambient temperature, the higher the average melting ice rate. The output current is positively correlated with the average melting ice rate. The degree of influence of the five influence factors on the average melting ice rate is ranked in order as follows: fiber content, fiber length, output current, ambient temperature, and ice layer thickness.

Energy Consumption and Environment Performance Analysis of Induction-Healed Asphalt Pavement by Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

“…The production technology of self-repairing asphalt pavement is to add steel fiber with asphalt volume ratio of 6%, and increase asphalt dosage by 0.2% on the basis of the original mix ratio of ordinary asphalt concrete [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Considering the density difference between steel fiber and natural aggregate as well as binder, the proportion of added steel fiber and the later paving and rolling processes were optimized and adjusted accordingly.…”

“…As can be seen from the figure, the energy consumption of the induction-healed asphalt pavement at this stage is significantly higher than that of the traditional asphalt pavement, and the energy consumption of the pavement with the two technologies is the highest in the process of mixing the mixture. The reason for this result is that the quality and density of the mixture increase when the steel fiber is added to the former, resulting in an additional 8 s adjustment time in the mixing process and an increase in the amount of transportation time [ 29 , 34 , 39 ]. On the other hand, natural gas is the largest of the three types of energy consumed in this stage.…”

Deicing Property of Asphalt Mixture Containing Steel Wool Fiber by Electromagnetic Induction Heating

“…After the aggregate and the asphalt were mixed for 90 s, each 10 g steel wool fiber was mixed for 30 s. The asphalt mixture was mixed for 90 s until the steel wool fiber was finally added. The addition of steel wool fiber also increases the connection and interlocking between asphalt, coarse aggregate and fine aggregate [35]. Finally, the Marshall standard specimens containing steel wool fiber were formed, according to Standard Test Methods of Bitumen and Bituminous Mixtures for Highway Engineering (JTG E20-2011).…”

“…The deicing principle by electromagnetic induction heating is shown in Figure 6. The calculation formula of induced electromotive force is shown in literature [35]. The induction current generation process is shown in Figure 7.…”

Parameter study and experimental analysis of a scraping de-icing concept for thin ice using end-of-life wire ropes

“…Lei et al developed a new feasible and efficient multi-loop CO 2 heat pipe system to heat existing bridges together with ground heat exchangers [17]. Conductive concrete refers to the addition of a certain amount of materials to enhance concrete electrical conductivity, such as steel fiber [18,19], carbon fiber [20], graphite [21], and iron powder [22], making the concrete have enhanced electrical conductivity, lower resistance, and more significant electric current. Rao et al cast a 3.5-in.…”