Smart Pavement Materials with Integrated Functionalities: Sensing, Healing, Thermal Responsiveness, and Photocatalysis
- Publication Type:
- Thesis
- Issue Date:
- 2026
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Cement–asphalt pavements are widely used in modern transport infrastructure. Yet, their serviceability and durability are often compromised by surface cracking caused by heavy traffic loads, temperature fluctuations, and environmental degradation, particularly from urban vehicle emissions. This thesis addresses these challenges by developing and analysing multifunctional pavement materials that integrate four core functions: (1) self-sensing, (2) self-healing, (3) temperature regulation through thermochromic materials, and (4) photocatalytic air purification.
The self-sensing function supports both Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and Traffic Detection (TD). Conventional cementitious sensors typically incorporate conductive fillers such as carbon black (CB), carbon fibre (CF), or carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to alter electrical conductivity. However, their performance is often inconsistent and difficult to control. To overcome these limitations, this thesis systematically investigates the influence of pore structure, humidity, and ion concentration on piezoresistive behaviour.
Additionally, the integration of self-healing and self-sensing functions was explored to enable real-time monitoring of micro-crack repair in cementitious composites, thereby enhancing long-term durability. The role of ion concentration in healing efficiency was also examined, offering new insights into optimising self-healing processes.
Thermochromic (TC) materials were incorporated to mitigate pavement temperature fluctuations. While previous studies largely considered individual functions in isolation, this research demonstrates the cooperative effects of combining TC coatings with self-sensing composites. The results show that thermochromic coatings significantly reduce humidity loss, thereby enhancing piezoresistive performance while simultaneously lowering surface temperature.
The photocatalytic function was investigated as a means of reducing traffic-related air pollutants. Although electron–hole recombination typically limits photocatalytic efficiency, this thesis demonstrates that multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), when integrated as conductive fillers, act as effective electron acceptors. This mechanism improves charge separation and enhances photocatalytic activity. The synergy between self-sensing and photocatalytic functions was experimentally validated, underscoring the application potential of such multifunctional composites.
This thesis develops and evaluates multifunctional pavement materials that integrate self-sensing, self-healing, thermochromic, and photocatalytic properties. Novel cementitious and asphalt-based composites incorporating carbon nanotubes and seawater were designed to enhance sustainability and resilience. Experimental programs investigated mechanical, electrical, and functional behaviours using advanced techniques, including CT scanning, NMR, and spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that carbon-based additives enable reliable piezoresistive sensing, seawater enhances chloride-binding capacity, and thermochromic coatings regulate surface temperature. Collectively, these findings establish new design strategies for smart pavements that improve structural monitoring, durability, and environmental performance.
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