Evaluation of Emission Characteristics and Microstructure of Particulate Matters from Excavation and Restoration Work on Asphalt Concrete Pavement

Abstract

Road excavation–restoration work, where various construction tasks are performed, may generate large quantities of particulate matter (PM). These PM may accumulate in the surroundings or scatter into the atmosphere, thus affecting the environment and people in the surroundings. This study was conducted as part of a basic research study to reduce scattering PM generated from road excavation–restoration work. This study aimed to investigate the PM10 emission trend for each activity of road excavation–restoration work, and to analyze the activity that yields the highest PM10 emissions. PM were measured by using a particle spectrometer and the vacuum sweep method, by conducting field (level 1) and chamber experiments (level 2). The PM10 emission trends of road-cutting, breaking, removal, excavation, and restoration activities were examined based on field experiments. It was found that the highest PM10 emission was generated from road-cutting activities. The road-cutting activities were performed in an enclosed chamber, and the microstructure and the emission characteristics of PM generated by cutting were analyzed. The PM generated during the cutting activity were analyzed by dividing them into scattered and deposited PM. The results showed that as the cutting depth increased, the scattered PM decreased, while the deposited PM tended to increase. Furthermore, as a result of the microstructural analysis of PM conducted during the cutting activity, it was found that the main components were aggregates instead of the components of asphalt binder.