Laboratory Investigation into Electrically Conductive HMA Mixtures

An asphalt mixture generally behaves as an insulator. The addition of electrically conductive additives may produce conductive asphalt mixtures. Traditional technology of applying carbon-based additives compromises the mechanical properties of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures and prevents the wide applications of electrically conductive asphalt. The present study investigated into various options of producing electrically conductive HMA mixtures. Electrical conductivity was evaluated for asphalt mixtures containing micron-scale steel fiber, aluminum chips, and graphite as conductive fillers. Further investigation was conducted relating the electrical conductivity to other engineering properties of HMA mixtures. The results from this study indicated that the micron-scale steel fiber provided the most efficient way to increase the electrical conductivity of HMA mixtures. The percolation point for the micron-scale steel fiber was 0.2% (by volume of asphalt binder); whereas, those points for graphite and aluminum powder were much higher. A strong relationship was discovered between the electrical resistivity and mechanical properties for asphalt mixture specimens under indirect tensile strength and beam fatigue testing. Further studies are recommended to explore the many applications related to the electrical conductivity of HMA mixtures.

Language

  • English

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01041456
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jan 30 2007 1:29PM