Temperature Reduction of Concrete Pavement Using Glass Bead Materials

Pancar, Erhan Burak; Akpınar, Muhammet Vefa · 2016 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1007/s40069-016-0130-2

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Summary

This study investigates the use of glass beads, typically employed in road markings, as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements to mitigate thermal cracking. Thermal gradients across pavement thickness induce curling stresses that lead to transverse cracking; reducing these gradients is critical for extending service life. The authors hypothesized that incorporating glass beads, which possess significantly lower thermal conductivity than traditional aggregates, would decrease the temperature differential between the top and bottom surfaces of concrete slabs. The experimental design involved preparing C30/37 strength class concrete mixtures with glass bead replacements of 0%, 9%, 19%, and 31% by total weight of aggregate. The glass beads used had a diameter less than 0.850 mm and a density of 1.6 g/cm³. The study evaluated alkali–silica reaction (ASR) potential using ASTM C1260 mortar bar tests and measured compressive strength at 28 days. Additionally, two 1 m × 1 m × 25 cm concrete slabs—one standard and one with 19% glass beads—were placed on a base course in Turkey. Surface temperatures were monitored between 08:00 and 16:00 during summer and winter to assess thermal performance. Results indicated that ASR expansion remained within acceptable limits (<0.1%) for all tested proportions. However, compressive strength decreased as glass bead content increased; the 31% replacement failed to meet the minimum 37 MPa requirement, while the 19% replacement achieved 39.65 MPa, making it the optimal mix for structural integrity. Field measurements demonstrated that the 19% glass bead slab significantly reduced thermal gradients. In summer, the maximum temperature difference between the top and bottom surfaces was 14°C for the standard slab, compared to only 3.5°C for the glass bead slab. The glass bead mixture also lowered the peak top surface temperature by approximately 12.5°C at midday. Winter tests confirmed similar trends, with the glass bead slab maintaining more uniform temperatures. The study concludes that replacing 19% of fine aggregate with glass beads effectively reduces temperature gradients and associated thermal stresses in PCC pavements without compromising structural strength or inducing harmful ASR. This approach also reduces the density of the concrete, alleviating dead load on the base course. The findings suggest that concrete mix designs should be regulated according to regional climates to optimize thermal performance, offering a sustainable method for utilizing waste glass in pavement construction.

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• road surface friction