An Experimental Validation-Based Study of Airport Pavement Icing Mechanisms in Saline Environments and the Development of a Simplified Prediction Model

Runway icing presents a significant challenge to aviation safety, especially in saline environments, where comprehending the icing mechanisms and predicting the icing onset are crucial for efficient airport operations. This study developed a specialized experimental apparatus to examine the mechanisms of airport pavement icing under controlled conditions. The apparatus, comprising an environmental chamber, a data acquisition system, and a scaled pavement structure, allowed for detailed simulations of various environmental factors. The experiments specifically examined the effects of the air temperature (−3 °C to −20 °C), wind speed (2 m/s to 6 m/s), and deicing salt concentration (0% to 80%) on the icing process. The results demonstrated that higher wind speeds and lower temperatures significantly accelerated the pavement surface cooling, leading to earlier icing onset. Under the most extreme conditions, the pavement reached critical icing temperatures within 15 min. In contrast, higher deicing salt concentrations delayed the icing onset by up to 67 min and 33 s at an 80% concentration, effectively lowering the pavement surface temperature. A comparison of the experimental data with the theoretical predictions showed initial consistency, although the discrepancies increased over time. This study culminated in the development of a simplified prediction model, which was validated against the experimental results, offering a practical tool for airport operators to manage runway safety during winter conditions.