UHPC pavement for extreme heat and extreme cold

 

Asphalt road surfaces have very big problems when there are extreme summers with long-lasting very
high temperatures. The asphalt loses its bearing capacity the higher the ambient temperatures become, it becomes soft. In extreme cases it sticks to vehicle wheels and shoes. Accidents can occur because there is no longer any adhesion to the surface. Likewise, in extreme cases, people can no longer walk on these surfaces or roads are closed because of the risk of accidents.

Standard concrete road surfaces have problems in extreme cold. Cracks in the concrete and salt spreading to keep the roads passable destroy the concrete including reinforcement in the long run. Water penetrates the concrete cracks, freezes to ice, expands and cracks the concrete. De-icing salt penetrates the concrete cracks, the reinforcement corrodes, expands and blasts the concrete from the reinforcement. 

 

We will always find these extreme situations in many parts of the world in the future. The cost of maintaining transport infrastructure is immeasurable. It is impossible under the present conditions for road and bridge maintenance to carry out all the necessary repairs. In addition to the lack of financial budgets, many places also lack the staff to carry out this work.

UHPC Phalt semi-rigid overlays could be a durable solution for such extreme temperatures. This solution
combines the flexibility of asphalt with the very high load-bearing capacity and wear resistance of UHPC concrete. The standard asphalt is modified in its structure and serves as a matrix for the very fluid UHPC concrete. The UHPC Phalt slurry penetrates the asphalt matrix via the open-pored structure and fills it completely. 

 

 

 

WPE DK International

Phone: 0049 176 601 73146
E-mail: info@wpe-dk.dk
Homepage: www.wpe-dk.com