Developing cold-mixed epoxy resin-based ultra-thin antiskid surface layer for steel bridge deck pavement

Abstract

To improve the skid resistance of epoxy asphalt-based concrete (EAC) pavement, a cold-mixed ultra-thin antiskid surface layer (UTASS) was developed and incorporated into the EAC pavement in this study. The performances of four types of epoxy resin-based binders were assessed. The best binder type was selected and UTASS preparation procedures were determined. Subsequently, the skid resistance, high-temperature rutting resistance, low temperature cracking resistance, and interlayer bonding properties of the EAC-UTASS composite structure (with the UTASS on the top of the EAC) were evaluated using a series of tests, and the performances of EAC-UTASS were compared with several other composite structures that are commonly used in the steel bridge deck pavement (SBDP) in China. The results showed that the texture depth of EAC-UTASS is almost 10 times of that of the pavement composite structures with an EAC surfacing structure. In addition, EAC-UTASS has excellent high-temperature rutting resistance, low-temperature cracking resistance and interlayer bonding stability. Finally, a stripping resistance test was utilized to evaluate the UTASS based on a third-scale Model Mobile Loading Simulator (MMLS3). The service life of UTASS was determined based on the anti-stripping coefficient threshold value of 80%. Based on the results in this study, the use of the UTASS was found to be a feasible strategy for enhancing the skid resistance of EAC pavement.