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Innovative Dual-Function Heated Pavement System Using Hollow Steel Pipe for Sustainable De-Icing

Author

Listed:
  • Sangwoo Park

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Korea Military Academy, Seoul 01805, Republic of Korea)

  • Hizb Ullah

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental, Kunsan National University, Gunsan-si 54150, Republic of Korea)

  • Annas Fiaz Abbasi

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental, Kunsan National University, Gunsan-si 54150, Republic of Korea)

  • Hangseok Choi

    (School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea)

  • Seokjae Lee

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Kunsan National University, Gunsan-si 54150, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

Winter road safety is threatened by black ice, while traditional de-icing methods, such as chemical spreading and electrically heated pavement systems, raise concerns about environmental impact and economic costs. This study proposed a hydronic heated pavement system utilizing geothermal energy (HHPS-G)-integrated concrete pavement that ensures environmental sustainability and structural stability. The design utilizes hollow steel pipes as both reinforcement and heat exchange conduits, thereby eliminating the need for separate high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. To enhance upward heat transfer, bottom-ash concrete was introduced as an alternative to conventional insulation, providing thermal insulation and structural strength. A validated numerical model was developed to compare the de-icing and snow-melting performance of different pipe types. The results show that hollow steel pipes reduced the time to reach 0 °C on the concrete pavement surface by 30.86% and improved heat flux by 10.19% compared to HDPE. The depth of pipe installation significantly influenced performance: positioning the pipes near the surface achieved the fastest heating (up to 70.11% faster), while mid-depth placement, recommended for structural integrity, still provided substantial thermal benefits. Variations in insulation thermal conductivity below 1 W/m·K had little effect, whereas replacing the base layer with bottom-ash concrete provided both insulation and strength without the need for separate insulation layers.

Suggested Citation

  • Sangwoo Park & Hizb Ullah & Annas Fiaz Abbasi & Hangseok Choi & Seokjae Lee, 2025. "Innovative Dual-Function Heated Pavement System Using Hollow Steel Pipe for Sustainable De-Icing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:18:p:8331-:d:1751413
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xu, Huining & Shi, Hao & Tan, Yiqiu & Ye, Qing & Liu, Xiujie, 2022. "Modeling and assessment of operation economic benefits for hydronic snow melting pavement system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    2. Hyun-Jun Choi & Sewon Kim & YoungSeok Kim & Jongmuk Won, 2022. "Predicting Frost Depth of Soils in South Korea Using Machine Learning Techniques," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Pan, Pan & Wu, Shaopeng & Xiao, Yue & Liu, Gang, 2015. "A review on hydronic asphalt pavement for energy harvesting and snow melting," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 624-634.
    4. Raheb Mirzanamadi & Carl-Eric Hagentoft & Pär Johansson, 2018. "Numerical Investigation of Harvesting Solar Energy and Anti-Icing Road Surfaces Using a Hydronic Heating Pavement and Borehole Thermal Energy Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-23, December.
    5. Lee, Seokjae & Park, Sangwoo & Won, Jongmuk & Choi, Hangseok, 2021. "Influential factors on thermal performance of energy slabs equipped with an insulation layer," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 823-834.
    6. Bobes-Jesus, Vanesa & Pascual-Muñoz, Pablo & Castro-Fresno, Daniel & Rodriguez-Hernandez, Jorge, 2013. "Asphalt solar collectors: A literature review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 962-970.
    7. Seokjae Lee & Sangwoo Park & Taek Hee Han & Jongmuk Won & Hangseok Choi, 2023. "Applicability Evaluation of Energy Slabs Installed in an Underground Parking Lot," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, February.
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