Use of Geothermal Energy for De-icing Approach Pavement Slabs and Bridge Decks, Phase II

De-icing using geothermal energy can provide TxDOT a better alternative than the existing method of de-icing with sands and/or salts. This research project will address the topic with a primary focus of comprehensive synthesis study. As a part of this synthesis, the available literature on geothermal energy along with success application case studies on the use of geothermal energy for bridge decks and pavement deicing applications will be compiled. The review of geothermal underground structures will be focused on Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES,) which is used to inject or extract heat into/from underground soil for seasonal cooling and heating needs. A preliminary finite element analysis of bridge de-icing using geothermal energy will also be performed, using typical Texas soil and climate conditions to demonstrate feasibility, along with potential cost-benefit analysis of the recommended geothermal de-icing system for field application. Recommendations will be made on candidate geothermal structures and bridge deck/pavement heating systems for field demonstration studies, as a part of follow up validation studies.

• Record URL:
  https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/Presto/project=0-6872-01

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $1,219,937
• Contract Numbers:

  0-6872-01

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Texas Department of Transportation

  125 E. 11th Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78701-2483
• Managing Organizations:

  Texas Department of Transportation

  125 E. 11th Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78701-2483
• Project Managers:

  Schwerdt, Tom

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Texas at Arlington

  Department of Civil Engineering
  Box 19308
  Arlington, TX  United States  76019

  Texas A&M Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System
  3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135
• Principal Investigators:

  Yu, Xinbao

• Start Date: 20201009
• Expected Completion Date: 20240831
• Actual Completion Date: 20240831

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Bridge decks; Deicing; Energy storage systems; Feasibility analysis; Finite element method; Geothermal resources; Heat; Pavements; Underground structures
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Energy; Geotechnology; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01766450
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Texas Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 0-6872-01
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 4 2021 1:20PM