Exploring the energy-saving potential of electromagnetic induction pavement via magnetic concentrating technique

Abstract Electromagnetic induction pavement (EMIP) is designed to heat the pavement through energy conversion to achieve pavement functions. However, there is a low energy conversion efficiency caused by the magnetic energy leakage phenomenon. To solve this problem, two kinds of asphalt magnetic absorption layer AMAL, including AMAL1 and AMAL2, were creatively designed by the magnetic concentrating technique. The direct tension test and shear test were conducted to test the road performance of AMAL. Meanwhile, the ice-melting experiments and self-healing experiments were conducted to compare energy conversion efficiency between conventional EMIP and new pavement heating system (NPHS) with AMAL. Results show that the shear strength and tensile strength of the AMAL1 was 0.95Mpa and 0.20Mpa, and that of the AMAL2 was 1.07Mpa and 0.21Mpa, both of which meet the requirements of road performance. Besides, the energy conversion efficiency was highest when the waste steel shavings content was 6% in ice-melting and self-healing experiments, whether AMAL1 or AMAL2. The energy conversion efficiency of the NPHS with AMAL1 is greater than that with AMAL2. Based on these results, AMAL1 was recommended. Finally, the results for the economic cost of unit NPHS show that the power cost saved by AMAL in 1 h is three times its construction cost.