Implementation of Conductive Concrete for Deicing (Roca Bridge)

摘要

The search for improved deicing methods has been a research focus for quite some time. Existing technologies perform deicing by chemical, electrical, or thermal energy sources. Electrically conductive concrete is produced by adding electrically conductive components to a regular concrete mix to attain stable electrical conductivity to enable conduction of electricity through the concrete. In the application for bridge deck deicing, a thin layer of conductive concrete can generate enough heat due to its electrical resistance to prevent ice formation on the pavement surface when connected to a power source. The heated deck of Roca Spur Bridge is the first implementation in the world using conductive concrete for deicing. The Roca Spur Bridge is a 150- foot long and 36-foot wide, three-span highway bridge over the Salt Creek at Lincoln, Nebraska, located near U.S. Route 77 South. This experimental bridge deck, after 5 years of evaluation, has shown that using conductive concrete has the potential to become a very cost-effective bridge deck deicing method. The technology provides an environment-friendly solution to address the looming crisis of water supply contamination by road salts, particularly on bridge decks over streams and rivers in the cold regions.