Enhancing the Durability of Bridge Decks by Incorporating Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in Concrete (2.16)

In Rhode Island and other New England states, combined effects of freeze-thaw-induced damage and chloride ingress (from deicing salts) make it very challenging to maintain the quality of concrete on bridges and road surfaces. This project will develop, evaluate, and assess the feasibility of incorporating microencapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) into the concrete to reduce freeze-thaw/chloride ingress-induced degradation. Under freezing ambient conditions, when PCMs freeze, they release a large amount of heat that helps keep the deck/pavement warmer. As a result, PCMs can reduce the number of freeze-thaw cycles in bridge decks which can lead to a significant reduction in damage/ingress of salt and an increase in life expectancy. In this project, a series of comprehensive experiments will be performed to evaluate the influence of PCM-incorporated concrete overlays on the freeze-thaw damage response and durability of concrete against chloride ingress. Moreover, the experimental results will be synergistically integrated with a robust performance prediction tool to enable efficient design of PCM concrete overlays specifically targeted for winter weather conditions in Rhode Island and other northeastern states.

• Record URL:
  https://tidc.umaine.edu/tidc_project/2-16-uri/

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $350427
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551847101

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center

  University of Maine
  Orono, ME  United States  04469

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  University of Rhode Island, Kingston

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Kingston, RI  United States  02881
• Managing Organizations:

  Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center

  University of Maine
  Orono, ME  United States  04469

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  University of Rhode Island, Kingston

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Kingston, RI  United States  02881
• Project Managers:

  Dunn, Denise

• Performing Organizations:

  Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center

  University of Maine
  Orono, ME  United States  04469

  University of Rhode Island, Kingston

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Kingston, RI  United States  02881
• Principal Investigators:

  Das, Sumanta

  Gindy, Mayrai

• Start Date: 20210715
• Expected Completion Date: 20250520
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Concrete bridges; Feasibility analysis; Freeze thaw durability; Overlays (Pavements); Roads; Winter maintenance
• Geographic Terms: New England; Rhode Island
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01780660
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551847101
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Aug 28 2021 6:39PM