Research on the practical application of self-healing calcium alginate capsules in asphalt pavements in Fujian province

Asphalt pavement maintenance faces challenges from crack propagation and material aging, prompting the exploration of innovative self-healing technologies. Traditional maintenance methods such as grouting and patching, are reactive and short-term. This study investigates the practical application of self-healing calcium alginate capsules in asphalt pavements to address performance degradation caused by traffic loads and environmental factors. The research team have developed an integrated production device for large-scale manufacturing of calcium alginate capsules. These capsules containing low-viscosity asphalt rejuvenator are incorporated into AC-13 asphalt mixtures and applied to test road section in Yongtai S213 Line, Fujian Province. Field tests demonstrate that the capsule-modified pavement met construction specifications, with compaction (97.8%), texture depth (0.80 mm), and permeability (242 ml/min) within acceptable ranges. Although the capsules slightly reduced mixture density, marshal stability and dynamic stability compared to conventional asphalt, all parameters complied with Chinese standards. The study validates the feasibility of calcium alginate capsules for self-healing asphalt pavements, highlighting their potential to extend service life through crack repair and aged asphalt regeneration. Challenges remain in optimizing production scalability and long-term durability for broader engineering applications. • An integrated calcium alginate capsule production device for large-scale preparation is designed. • The prepared capsules have been successfully applied in actual road construction projects. • The on-site inspection results for the capsule test section are satisfactory.