Effect of Carbon-Fiber Properties on Volumetrics and Ohmic Heating of Electrically Conductive Asphalt Concrete

This experimental study examines the influence of different sources and lengths of carbon fiber (CF) on the volumetric properties, volume resistivity, and heat-generation efficiency of electrically conductive asphalt concrete (ECAC). This type of concrete has applications to pavement anti-icing and deicing in critical areas such as airfields where having surfaces free of ice and snow is of paramount importance. This study revealed that increasing CF length decreased the ECAC air void, voids in the mineral aggregate, and increased voids filled with asphalt. The source of CF influenced the electrical conductivity and heat-generation capability of ECAC and decreasing the CF length resulted in volume resistivity reduction and enhancement of heat-generation efficiency. The analyses results obtained from volume resistivity and heat-generation characterizations performed on ECAC cylindrical specimens were used for fabricating ECAC slabs. It was demonstrated that ECAC slab can melt a dense layer of ice under harsh winter conditions simulated in the laboratory environment.