Toward Sustainability: A New Construction Method for Electrically Heated Rigid Pavement Systems

Damage caused by snow and ice to airport pavements in colder regions of the United States presents a persistent and economically significant challenge. This research explores an innovative construction method using an electrically conductive composite (ECC) composed of waterborne polyurethane and graphite powder (Gp). The ECC is applied to a Portland cement concrete substrate through a parallel stripe technique, using two types of “exposed” specimen. The study thoroughly examines the resistive heating performance of these specimens under various conditions, focusing on critical factors such as Gp concentrations in ECC, stripe thickness, spacing, and applied voltages. ECC was prepared with varying Gp concentrations (17.5% to 25%), and applied in strips of different thicknesses (1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm), with spacings of 15 cm and 20 cm. The specimens were subjected to alternating current voltages of 40, 50, and 60 V to measure surface heating performance. Tests were performed at room temperature (23.6°C) and a controlled sub-freezing temperature (−17°C), monitoring the surface temperature over 60 min to evaluate heating capacity and distribution. The time required for the specimens’ surface temperature to rise from −17°C to 0°C was recorded. Results indicated that ECC with 22.5% Gp content was the most effective, with exposed specimens showing a surface temperature increase of 19.94°C/h and sandwiched specimens showing 15.46°C/h. These findings suggest a promising sustainable alternative to traditional pavement heating methods, offering a viable and enduring solution for winter weather challenges on airport runways.