48 Slurry Seal ($$$) A slurry seal is a pavement preservation technique that combines asphalt emulsion, fine aggregate (typically sand) and water, sometimes including mineral fillers or additives. It is applied as a homogeneous mixture over existing pavement surfaces to extend their life. The mixture is produced in specially designed trucks or mixing units and then evenly spread across the surface using a spreader box and/or a squeegee attached to the back of a truck. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of the slurry seal process: 1. Mix Preparation: Slurry seal is mixed on-site in the slurry truck or paver. The mix is designed with the aggregate and emulsion being used and the performance requirements. 2. Surface Cleaning: Prior to application, the pavement surface is thoroughly cleaned to remove debris and dust to ensure proper adhesion of the slurry seal. 3. Application: The slurry seal is applied uniformly to the pavement surface using the spreader box. The thickness of the application is typically equal to the largest aggregate particle in the mix. 4. Curing: After application, the slurry seal needs time to cure. During curing, water in the slurry evaporates, leaving behind the asphalt binder, which then hardens. 5. Opening to Traffic: Once cured, the slurry seal provides a new, durable surface layer. The pavement can be reopened to traffic once the slurry seal is sufficiently set, which usually takes a few hours. The benefits of slurry seal include: • Crack Sealing: Slurry seal fills and seals cracks in the pavement, preventing water from penetrating and causing further deterioration. • Restored Surface Texture: It provides a new, skid-resistant surface that enhances safety and ride quality. • Protection from Oxidation: The new surface layer protects the underlying asphalt from oxidation caused by exposure to oxygen and UV rays. • Cost-Effective: It is a cost-effective maintenance method that extends the life of the pavement without the need for more expensive repairs. • Aesthetic Improvement: Slurry seal gives the pavement a uniform, black appearance, similar to new asphalt. • Quick Application: The process is relatively quick, and the disruption to traffic is usually minimal compared to other resurfacing methods. Slurry seal is suitable for low- to medium-volume roads, residential streets, parking lots and airports. It is not intended to correct structural issues but is used as a preventive maintenance technique to address surface aging and minor raveling and to seal the surface against the ingress of water.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODQxMjUw