Frost-resistant concrete technology from Drexel could make salt and shovels obsolete

Frost-resistant concrete technology from Drexel could make salt and shovels obsolete
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 25, 2024

In a new development at Drexel University, researchers have introduced a self-heating concrete technology that could revolutionize the way we manage snow and ice on roadways and sidewalks. Located discreetly on the university's campus, two experimental slabs of this innovative concrete have successfully resisted snow, sleet, and freezing rain autonomously for over three years, eliminating the need for traditional snow removal methods.

This technology emerges from Drexel's College of Engineering, where the team, led by Associate Professor Amir Farnam, has spent the past five years refining a concrete mix that self-regulates its temperature to stay above freezing. Their efforts aim to reduce the environmental and financial burdens of snow and ice removal in northern U.S. states, which collectively spend over $2 billion annually on these operations and face significant road damage from winter weather.

Farnam explains, "Our objective is to enhance the durability of concrete surfaces by integrating special materials that enable the concrete to maintain a warmer surface temperature in cold weather." This innovation could substantially decrease the need for deicing chemicals and physical snow removal, protecting the infrastructure from weather-related deterioration.

The team's research, recently published in the American Society for Civil Engineering's Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, showcases the real-world effectiveness of their self-heating concrete. Unlike previous laboratory-based successes, this study confirms the concrete's capability to melt snow and prevent ice formation outdoors, using only the thermal energy from the environment.

The secret to the concrete's thermal properties lies in low-temperature liquid paraffin, a phase-change material that releases heat as it solidifies. The Drexel researchers experimented with two methods of integrating this material into concrete, either by infusing porous aggregates with paraffin or incorporating microencapsulated paraffin directly. Outdoor tests revealed that slabs made with these materials could maintain surface temperatures between 42 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 10 hours in sub-freezing conditions, effectively melting snow and preventing ice buildup.

While not a complete substitute for snow plows in heavy snowfall, the technology promises enhanced road safety and reduced maintenance costs by minimizing ice formation. Furthermore, the research indicated that concrete treated with phase-change materials is more resistant to the freeze-thaw cycles that typically damage road surfaces.

Research Report:As the Drexel team continues to refine this technology, their findings open new avenues for creating more resilient and maintenance-free infrastructure, particularly in areas prone to severe winter weather. This innovation not only holds the potential to save millions in maintenance and environmental costs but also to make winter roads safer and more navigable without the need for corrosive salts or labor-intensive snow removal.