Abstract

This report examines the potential use of phase change materials (PCMs) in airfield concrete pavements to store heat, which can be used to reduce ice formation and snow accumulation on the surface of the concrete pavement. This work mainly attempts to (1) determine the most beneficial properties of the PCM-concrete composite, (2) determine which PCMs to use and how they can be manufactured, and (3) evaluate the performance of pavements containing PCMs.

The research discussed in this report aims to improve understanding of how to incorporate PCMs into concrete pavement to revolutionize anti-icing/snow-removal practices in airfield concrete pavement technologies. This study shows that using PCMs in concrete pavement applications can melt ice and snow effectively, thereby decreasing the need for traditional snow/ice removal methods, such as snow plowing or deicing salt treatment, which can be costly and environmentally hazardous.

This research (1) identifies desirable PCMs for low-temperature applications, (2) characterizes potentially desirable PCMs for snow/ice melting applications in concrete pavement, (3) evaluates approaches to incorporate PCMs in concrete, (4) assesses thermal and durability behaviors of the cementitious materials containing PCMs, (5) examines using PCM in large-scale concrete slabs to evaluate heat release during cooling/snowing events to melt snow/ice, and (6) develops a numerical finite difference model to predict PCM performance in concrete pavement.