Chapter 8 - Thermal Performance of Various Pavement Materials

Abstract

Through the design, construction, instrumentation, and field measurements of nine experimental sections of pavement, this chapter observes and compares the seasonal thermal behavior and cooling effects of various pavement types in different seasons and under various moisture conditions, with a focus on permeable pavements under both dry and wet conditions, and investigates the factors affecting the thermal behavior and cooling effects of permeable pavements. Based on the findings, compared to impermeable pavements, permeable pavements (including pervious concrete pavement, permeable interlocking concrete pavers, and porous asphalt pavement) have the higher potential to be cool pavements that produce lower temperatures and help mitigate local heat island effects. However, attention should be given to permeable pavements under dry conditions, which might produce a higher peak daytime temperature. Watering and evaporation can help to reduce the daytime pavement surface temperature of permeable pavements and consequently mitigate the heat island effect and improve thermal comfort. The cooling effect depends on the availability of moisture around the pavement surface and might vanish over time as the water level decreases.