Induction healing of dense asphalt concrete

Induction heating can be used for repairing cracks in asphalt concrete. With this purpose, electrically conductive particles have to be added to the asphalt mixture, which is then heated with an induction heating device. Since the factors affecting the induction healing of dense asphalt concrete are not well-known, in this article, different mixtures, with different lengths, quantities and diameters of steel wool fibres have been considered. It was found that there is a minimum temperature for healing asphalt concrete. Additionally a semi-empirical model, explaining asphalt healing through the capillary theory has been developed and fitted to the results. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.