Using pavement as solar collector: Effect on pavement temperature and structural response

Using asphalt pavements as a solar collector is a subject of current interest in the Netherlands. Some thermal analysis research has already been done. The effects of a system for cooling and heating asphalt pavements on the durability of the pavement structure are examined. With the finite element program FEMMASSE, thermal analyses have been done based on measuring data from a field test in the northern Netherlands, where polyethylene tubes were built in a main road to control the temperature of the pavement. Subsequently, a model for structural analysis was built by means of the finite element system CAPA 3D (computer-aided pavement analysis). The model was based on temperature distribution according to the thermal analysis. From these analyses it appears that high peak values in the stresses and strains arise around the tubes, which might affect the lifetime of the system negatively. Considering the research findings of the investigation it is concluded that the issue of energy extraction from asphalt pavements involves several complex engineering and financial issues that must be resolved before effective utilization is possible.