# Thermal Field and High-Temperature Performance of Epoxy Resin System Steel Bridge Deck Pavement

## TL;DR

This paper studies how epoxy resin system pavements on steel bridges perform at high temperatures and finds ways to reduce heat buildup.

## Contribution

The study introduces a thermal field model and identifies effective cooling strategies for ERS pavements without compromising structural integrity.

## Key findings

- The RA05 mixture shows dynamic stability of 23,318 cycles/mm at 70 °C and improved rutting resistance.
- Enhancing internal airflow in the steel box girder can reduce surface peak temperatures by up to 20 °C.
- High-temperature exposure durations can be shortened by 3–7 hours with optimized airflow configurations.

## Abstract

Epoxy Resin System (ERS) steel bridge pavement, which comprises a resin asphalt (RA) base layer and a modified asphalt wearing course, offers cost efficiency and rapid installation. However, the combined effects of traffic loads and environmental conditions pose significant challenges, requiring greater high-temperature stability than conventional pavements. The thermal sensitivity of resin materials and the use of conventional asphalt mixtures may weaken deformation resistance under elevated temperature conditions. This study investigates the thermal field distribution and high-temperature performance of ERS pavements under extreme conditions and explores temperature reduction strategies. A three-dimensional thermal field model developed using finite element analysis software analyzes interactions between the steel box girder and pavement layers. Based on simulation results, wheel tracking and dynamic creep tests confirm the superior performance of the RA05 mixture, with dynamic stability reaching 23,318 cycles/mm at 70 °C and a 2.1-fold improvement in rutting resistance in Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA)-13 + RA05 composites. Model-driven optimization identifies that enhancing internal airflow within the steel box girder is possible without compromising its structural integrity. The cooling effect is particularly significant when the internal airflow aligns with ambient wind speeds (open-girder configuration). Surface peak temperatures can be reduced by up to 20 °C and high-temperature durations can be shortened by 3–7 h.