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Faraj, S, 2024. Development and assessment of lightweight walkable pavement slabs with integrated solar panels. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.
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Abstract
Sustainability plays a vital role in modern engineering, particularly in urban pavement design. This research explores the integration of solar energy with recycled materials to develop a durable and eco-friendly pavement solution. Existing solar pavement systems often struggle with durability and inefficient energy storage, limiting their practical use. To address these challenges, a novel solar pavement slab was developed, incorporating photovoltaic panels, batteries, and LED lighting within a lightweight concrete base enhanced with recycled materials.
A comprehensive experimental study was conducted to optimise the mechanical properties of foamed concrete (FC) for walkable pavement slabs. Various recycled materials, including waste foundry sand, recycled tyre steel fibres, and polystyrene, were incorporated to improve strength, reduce self-weight, and enhance sustainability. Waste foundry sand was partially replaced for normal sand, creating a more environmentally friendly concrete mix while minimising dependence on virgin materials. Results indicate that replacing 25% of fine aggregates with waste foundry sand increased compressive strength by 100% while reducing overall weight. Additionally, incorporating steel fibres and controlled quantities of recycled materials further enhanced structural performance. The final prototype, measuring 400 × 400 × 50 mm, featured a tempered glass or acrylic optical layer over a photovoltaic module and was successfully tested under different environmental conditions. The findings confirm the feasibility of using lightweight foamed concrete with recycled materials to develop efficient and resilient solar pavements. This approach not only enhances the sustainability of construction materials but also supports environmental conservation by reducing carbon emissions. In situ testing demonstrated reliable LED lighting and battery charging performance during summer, with battery voltages averaging 4.19 volts overnight. However, reduced sunlight in winter led to minor declines in performance, highlighting the need for further optimisation. This study contributes to sustainable infrastructure development by integrating renewable energy into urban paving solutions and encouraging the use of recycled materials. Future research could focus on improving battery efficiency and extending applications to snow-melting systems and street lighting.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Creators: | Faraj, S. |
| Contributors: | Name Role NTU ID ORCID |
| Date: | October 2024 |
| Divisions: | Schools > School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment |
| Record created by: | Jeremy Silvester |
| Date Added: | 23 May 2025 08:08 |
| Last Modified: | 23 May 2025 08:08 |
| URI: | https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/53645 |
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9867-6011Actions (login required)
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