Impact of Chemical Deicers on Roadway Infrastructure: Risks and Best Management Practices

Abstract

In this chapter, impacts of deicers on roadway infrastructures are introduced in terms of physical and chemical interactions. Concrete deteriorations, such as salt scaling and alkali-aggregate reactions, caused by different deicers are discussed and compared, along with deterioration mechanisms. Recent best practices in managing deicers’ impact on concrete are reviewed with a focus on the use of alternative deicers, use of additives or materials to mitigate the deicer effect and improved concrete design specifications. Deicer effects on asphalt concrete are studied through aggregate, binder, and mixture damage, and acetate/formate-based deicers are introduced particularly since they have caused significant airfield pavement deteriorations. Application of polymer modifiers, nanomaterials and high-quality aggregates are reviewed as best practices to mitigate deicer-induced deteriorations of asphalt concrete. Corrosion of metal, such as rebar, steel bridge, and barrier, caused by chloride-based and acetate/formate-based deicers are also reviewed. Monitoring and providing protection are found to be an effective way to mitigate such deicer-induced corrosion. In general, this chapter provides a comprehensive review of the deterioration mechanisms by which common deicers compromise the life-cycle performance and durability of roadway infrastructure and the best practice by which one can manage such risks.