Samenvatting

This study sought to comprehensively examine the complex relationship between de-icing substances and asphalt pavement, with an emphasis on understanding how freeze-thaw cycles and various deicers affect infrastructure performance and longevity. The primary focus was centered around strengthening understanding of these interactions to establish more effective techniques for optimum pavement sustainability and maintenance practices.

The theoretical component of this research focused on three key areas to achieve its objectives. Initially, it sought to understand the complex impact of freeze-thaw cycles and various de-icing agents on the mechanical properties of asphalt pavement. Second, it looked at the economic implications of de-icer use, including pavement life cycle costs and potential mitigation strategies. Lastly, this study examined the environmental and sustainability implications of de-icer use, to identify the most sustainable solutions.

The methodology took an integrated approach, beginning with insightful interviews with laboratory specialists to gain valuable insights into asphalt testing and de-icing techniques. This was followed by a diligent experimental setup that included the selection of representative asphalt samples, the application of de-icing substances, and testing procedures intended to evaluate pavement performance under varying conditions.

As the research advanced, findings began to emerge. Freeze-thaw cycles were found to have a significant impact on Marshall stability and material flowability, with reductions of up to 23% for Marshall stability and 50% for flowability for some samples, challenging prior beliefs about material properties from other studies. Surprisingly, weight measurements revealed minimal erosion, prompting a reconsideration of previous hypotheses. Additionally, it is concluded that SMA pavement is more affected by de-icers than AC pavement, particularly with CaCl2 de-icer application.

The life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) emerged as a pivotal component of this research, elucidating the economic ramifications of de-icer application on pavement durability and maintenance expenses. By incorporating the total costs of construction, rehabilitation, and user-related expenses over the pavement's lifespan, LCCA enabled a comprehensive comparison of various de-icing methods. The findings indicated that a higher number of freeze-thaw cycles detrimentally affected pavement performance more than the increased concentration of de-icers. The analysis concluded that SMA pavement was particularly susceptible to calcium chloride (CaCl2), significantly curtailing its lifespan and necessitating more frequent and expensive rehabilitation compared to sodium chloride (NaCl). The analysis revealed that a 10% reduction in the rehabilitation period would result in a 0.3 million euro increase in LCC, while the use of CaCl2 on SMA pavement increased LCC by almost 1 million euros, which is 30% of the previously estimated NPV.