Research on microwave heating structure optimization of auxiliary material box of road maintenance vehicle

The microwave heating/healing technique is regarded as a green maintenance approach for asphalt pavements thanks to its promising environmental and economic benefits. However, the main concern about this technology is represented by the possible aging effect generated on bituminous binders. Currently, there is a significant lack of studies dealing with this topic. Based on these premises, the main purpose of this study is to appraise the feasibility of implementing microwave-based maintenance operations considering the associated aging effect. The assessment of fatigue life after cyclic microwave heating (MH) based on a linear amplitude sweep (LAS) test and the changes in the chemical groups detected through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy document the aging phenomenon. The results indicate that the microwave aging degree on bituminous binder is nonlinear with MH cycles. The microwave radiation causes a distinct aging impact on binders during the first 10 cycles, then the values become constant. Furthermore, a feasibility analysis of MH technology is developed, encompassing four main multidisciplinary aspects: evaluation of microwave aging degree, working mechanism of MH equipment, safety assessment, and economic and ecological considerations. Despite the associated aging issue, the MH method is an efficient technology, considering its various advantages (i.e., rapidity of execution, uniform and non-pollutant treatment, and deep penetration). Meanwhile, the use of steel slag as a microwave absorber bolsters the sustainability of MH technology. This study provides a new perspective to evaluate the microwave heating technique in road engineering comprising the generated aging effect. Practice-oriented recommendations are also formulated regarding the safe implementation of MH technical operations.

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A Review of Asphaltic Crack Healing Approaches and Its Mechanism

Advances in Materials Science and Engineering ◽

10.1155/2021/1093224 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Mohd Fahmi Haikal Mohd Ghazali ◽

Mohd Rosli Mohd Hasan ◽

Anasyida Abu Seman ◽

Dillon Dipagk Dorett ◽

Najib Mukhtar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electric Field ◽

Microwave Heating ◽

Induction Heating ◽

Molecular Diffusion ◽

Asphalt Pavement ◽

Asphalt Mixture ◽

The Self ◽

Self Healing ◽

Road Maintenance ◽

Conductive Fibers

The concept of self-healing has an excellent potential to extend the life of asphalt pavement. This technology can be considered a sustainable technology due to its ability to reduce the utilization of asphalt mixture production materials used for road maintenance, polluting the environment. It is a complex physicochemical process wherein the molecular diffusion healing mechanisms in asphalt materials are inspired by self-healing polymeric systems, which describe the self-recovery behaviors based on polymer chain dynamics. Several methods have been adopted to improve the self-healing of asphalt, one of which is induction healing. It is the process of heating the asphalt pavement incorporated with an electrically conductive material such as steel fibers, wherein asphalt healing is undertaken via electric field induction. Induction healing via induction heating occurs with eddy current where the electric current flows within the conductive fibers when magnetically susceptible under the magnetic field. Microwave heating is another self-healing method similar to induction in which magnetic radiation is employed to treat asphalt mixtures instead of the electric field-induced induction healing processes. The conductive fibers can absorb the electromagnetic (EM) waves to convert them into heat energy through doublet polarization, interface polarization, and electrical conduction dissipation when placed in the microwave field. These two types of heating systems, which are induction heating and microwave heating, are compared and discussed thoroughly in this study. Finally, some recommendations for the future development of self-healing asphalt are proposed.

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