PURPOSES : In this study, we aimed to investigate the heat transfer characteristics of asphalt mixtures by water saturation.
METHODS : On the basis of the literature review, the heat transfer characteristics of the samples were analyzed using a thermal accumulation experiment. The types of samples used were WC2 (dense asphalt mixture), ReWC2 (used 30% recycled aggregate), and PA13 (drainage asphalt mixture). The samples were compacted using a gyratory compactor. An infrared lamp simulating insolation was used to continuously heat the asphalt sample. Through this experiment, the upper and lower temperatures and heat flux of the specimen according to its thickness and condition were measured, and the change in its thermal conductivity was analyzed.
RESULTS : The results of the laboratory experiment indicated that the dry sample showed lower thermal conductivity than the saturated sample. The amount of evaporation varied depending on the internal pores of the sample. Additionally, the amount of evaporation changed the heat transfer characteristics of the specimen.
CONCLUSIONS : An asphalt mixture with high porosity decreased the degree of increase in thermal conductivity, compared to mixtures with low porosity, under semi-saturated conditions; this was attributed to the difference in thermal conductivity between air and water during saturation. The results of this study on the heat transfer characteristics of asphalt pavements could be used as basic data for thermal energy harvesting of asphalt pavements.