Investigation on an Absorbing Layer Suitable for a Noise-Reducing Two-Layer Pavement.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Noise pollution from traffic poses significant societal stress and health risks.
• Existing noise-reducing road layers often suffer from poor durability.
• Optimizing road construction for both noise reduction and longevity is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the optimization of polyurethane-based rubber-modified road layers for enhanced durability and sustained noise-reducing properties.
• To determine the key factors influencing noise absorption and longevity in road pavements.
• To assess the feasibility of using polyurethane asphalt as a solution for reducing traffic emissions in urban hotspots.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a large-scale parametric study to identify optimal material compositions and structural properties.
• Investigated the relationship between void content, flexibility, binder properties, and mixture composition (grading curve) on performance.
• Utilized polyurethane binders known for their low temperature dependency after chemical reaction.

Main Results:

• Noise absorption is primarily governed by pavement void content and flexibility.
• Road layer durability is influenced by binder characteristics and the mixture's grading curve.
• Polyurethane asphalt mixtures exhibit low temperature dependence, contributing to overall layer stability.

Conclusions:

• A polyurethane-based road layer offers a viable solution for creating durable, noise-reducing infrastructure.
• These optimized layers effectively absorb traffic noise and emissions, particularly beneficial in dense urban environments.
• The developed road construction method addresses limitations of existing noise-reducing technologies, offering a sustainable urban planning approach.