Incorporating phase change materials in asphalt pavements to melt snow and ice

The accumulation of snow and ice formation in asphalt pavement riding surfaces plays a critical role in the direct contact of the roadway with vehicle traffic. Considering the importance of this matter to vehicle transportation safety and other pavement performance concerns, Phase Change Materials (PCMs) have emerged as a potential solution to make snow and ice removal more manageable. PCMs are substances that absorb and release thermal energy during the process of melting and freezing. There has been substantial research undertaken on the formulation of PCMs for pavement engineering applications. However, the potential benefits of their incorporation into asphalt pavements under actual thermal cycles and snowfall events have yet to be understood. This investigation examined the thermal performance of asphalt pavement slabs containing ideal PCMs to prevent freezing temperatures in the pavement structure and assist in melting snow and ice from the pavement's surface. The experimental and computational results demonstrate that, indeed, PCMs can enhance the thermal response of asphalt pavements to adverse environmental conditions. Overall, this study's findings support the use of PCMs in asphalt pavements to provide them with thermal energy storage properties for better low-temperature management and in-service performance.