The Thermal and Radiative Characteristics of Concrete Pavements in Mitigating Urban Heat Island Effects

The main objective of this research study was to provide understanding, supporting documentation, and tools on how pavement designs and materials selection contribute to surface and subsurface temperature fluctuations. This objective was achieved through two focus areas that outlined the scope of work of this research: thermal properties and reflectance evaluation, and heat absorption and transfer modeling. In the first focus area, the reflectance “albedo” characteristics of various concrete pavement surfaces / mix types were identified. Surface and in-depth pavement temperatures of several field sections were collected to help validate modeling efforts. Perhaps one of the most notable accomplishments in this focus area was the development of a simplified laboratory test procedure to measure the thermal conductivity of paving materials using cylindrical specimens. Laboratory tests were also conducted to measure key thermal properties of the different paving materials. These properties were used as input parameters for the pavement heat absorption and transfer model. In the second focus area, a pavement heat absorption and transfer model was developed and validated. This fundamental model accounts for the surface rates of solar radiation absorption and heat transmission of various pavements designs. It can be used for comparative evaluation for the different pavements designs in mitigating the Urban Heat Island Effect. The outcome of the two focus areas outlined above are envisioned to play a key role aiding future decision makers and designers when choosing appropriate pavement materials for their particular application. It will provide further awareness of urban heat island, and drives further municipal ordinances and building codes that incorporate environmentally appropriate materials into development and rehabilitation projects.

• Record URL:
  http://www.cement.org/bookstore/download.asp?mediatypeid=1&id=16866&itemid=SN2969
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Portland Cement Association

  5420 Old Orchard Road
  Skokie, IL  United States  60077
• Authors:
  • Kaloush, Kamil E
  • Carlson, Joby D
  • Golden, Jay S
  • Phelan, Patrick E
• Publication Date: 2008-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 139p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Absorption; Concrete pavements; Heat; Heat islands; Heat transfer; Pavement design; Reflectivity; Temperature; Thermal conductivity; Thermal properties; Urban areas
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01118119
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: PCA R&D SN2969
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Dec 30 2008 12:37PM