Effect of anti-icing chemicals on stripping of asphalt concrete mixtures for airport runway wearing courses

As part of a wider research project for the study and development of a system for the prediction, monitoring and management of meteorological winter emergencies in airports (Airport Weather Information System, AWIS), the experimental investigation reported in this paper focused on damage phenomena caused by antiicing chemicals on asphalt concrete mixtures for airport runway surface courses, with an emphasis placed upon stripping. Asphalt mixtures derived from the combination of aggregates of two different mineralogical types (basaltic and siliceous) and two bituminous binders (one neat bitumen and one SBS polymer modified binder). The testing program included determination of aggregate-binder affinity, indirect tensile strength and fracture properties. A potassium formate solution was employed as antiicer. Obtained results indicated that anti-icing treatments may promote stripping phenomena to an extent which depends on aggregate and binder type.