Enhanced ice and snow melting efficiency of steel slag based ultra-thin friction courses with steel fiber

Abstract Implementing melting function on pavement without reconstruction lead to cleaner pavement engineering. This study proposed the reusing of steel slag to design ultra-thin friction courses for pavement maintenance with ice and snow melting functions. Reusing the steel slag in the proposed ultra-thin friction courses could help to ease environment degradation. Volumetric performance and moisture damage resistance were tested. Corresponding induced temperature increment and effective induction heating depth were measured to characterize the effect of steel slag. Ice and snow melting efficiency was evaluated based on the melting of simulated ice layer and natural accumulated snow. Results indicated that steel slag can enhance the induction heating property of pavement friction courses. Steel slag based mixture showed adequate volumetric and durable performance in comparison with mixtures that have no steel slag. The ice and snow melting efficiency of pavement friction courses could also be enhanced through addition of steel slag. This proposal would enhance cleaner production and sustainability in pavement engineering.