Stabilization of Clay Road Bases.

Gravel preservation on unpaved rural roads has become the prime concerns for road maintenance by the Saskatchewan Regional Municipalities. This concern was highlighted in the recent study of the Department of Highways and Transportation on graveled roads in Saskatchewan and is heightened by the new practice whereby heavy axle load traffic gets diverted off the paved highways onto the gravel paved roads.

While current practice of Counties is to treat the surface on gravel surfaced roads with the application of dust palliatives such as calcium or magnesium chlorides, lignin sulfonates and asphalt emulsions in an effort to reduce gravel loss and dust, these mediums have been proven to be a temporary measure, which at best last one season or less. Gravel loss is mitigated and surface gravel is retained somewhat until these materials become leached out or otherwise ineffective. In areas with clay in the road base, this surface treatment is much less effective and gravel loss is exacerbated by the effects that the clay exhibits on the road and, particularly in wet weather, the gravel is pounded into the road base. Also due to the effects of poor base strength rutting and other deformation occurs in the wheel paths. Loose gravel is ground up onto fine powder and increases the dust on the roads.

Gravelock Technology addresses this problem and reduces gravel consumption on gravel surfaced roads by locking gravel into the road surface and so reducing gravel loss as well as reducing the need for gravel during initial construction by strengthening local soils. Gravelock improves road trafficability in wet weather and also helps to reduce dust in dry weather.

Gravelock is designed to increase the osmotic and matric suction of typical clay based soils, while reducing the moisture susceptibility. It is this behavior that increases the strength and stiffness of typical clay based soils, while also locking in the gravel to minimize gravel loss. This treatment is long term and reduces both maintenance and dust by up to 80%. Roads can be repaired after treatment without having to re-apply more Gravelock. Payback for many clients in Canada is less than 18 months.

We are now able to test your soils and ensure the best performance of your soil. On site supervision during construction ensures that the correct application and construction procedures are followed. Construction can be integrated with the road owner crews and equipment to help reduce outsourced costs or alternatively, full construction of a road can be provided with our equipment and crews.

By: Rhino Rohrs. 

Rhide Technologies Inc.

Email: rohrs@cbrplus.com