Anti-freezing asphalt concrete: ice-adhesion performance

Abstract

Because of its excellent ability to melt ice, numerous studies have praised anti-freezing asphalt concrete (AFAC) as a potential replacement for deicing agents. In this paper, we studied the ice-disbonding ability of AFAC from a mechanical perspective. Firstly, the interfacial adhesion mechanism between ice and pavement was discussed based on the quasi-liquid layer (QLL) theory, and the factors influencing ice–pavement adhesion strength were analyzed accordingly. Thereafter, ice-adhesion strength was studied both vertically and horizontally using mechanical tests conducted at the ice–pavement adhesion interface. The findings showed that the AFAC weakened the ice-adhesion strength significantly by up to 80%. Further, the magnitude and characteristics of the effect varied considerably depending upon temperature and the amount added. Finally, AFAC’s long-term ice-adhesion characteristics were determined using washing-drying cycles that simulated environmental effects. The results showed that the washing-drying cycles increased ice-adhesion strength significantly, especially at temperatures between 0 and 5 °C. The ice-adhesion model based on QLL theory accounted well for the results, which showed variable trends in ice-adhesion strength. However, because the break characteristics varied at different temperatures, the exact value of ice-adhesion strength cannot yet be forecasted accurately. By studying the ice–pavement adhesion interface from a mechanical perspective, this paper may provide some fresh insights for current studies of AFAC.