Abstract:To address the durability issues and high carbon emissions of traditional asphalt pavements under heavy traffic and climate warming, a novel pavement system using polyurethane as a complete asphalt replacement was developed. Multi-scale testing revealed the reinforcement mechanism of the polyurethane three-dimensional cross-linked network. An innovative collaborative design theory integrating "functional surface layer thinning" and "structural base compensation" was proposed and validated through engineering cases. A life cycle assessment framework established the following results: the polyurethane mixture achieved a dynamic stability of 28 500 cycles/mm (31 times higher) and a low-temperature flexural strain of 3 150 με (2.5 times higher); the optimized surface layer thickness was 40 mm, reducing material consumption by 42%; the life cycle carbon emission factor was 6.8 tCO?e/km (for a 1 km two-way six-lane section), with a 40.5% reduction in energy consumption and a 48.7% reduction in the net present value of life cycle costs. This technology demonstrates significant advantages in mechanical performance, environmental benefits, and economic efficiency, providing a viable pathway for the transition to low-carbon transportation.
