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Asphalt stabilization results in more flexibility, compared to other base course materials and chemical stabilizers, and can be used alongside other additives.Īccording to ARRA, the type and amount of stabilizing additives is determined through core samples and soil survey information.ĭepending on soil characteristics, certain additives are more popular in one region of the country than another. Common options include cement, lime and fly ash, to name a few.Īsphalt stabilization relies on emulsified asphalt and foamed bitumen as additives. This process can be used on its own or alongside chemical and asphalt stabilizing additives.Ĭhemical stabilization is most suitable for granular, silty or clay materials with a Plasticity Index above six, ARRA recommends, depending on the stabilizers being used. Mechanical stabilization uses the pulverized asphalt pavement as an aggregate sub-base, while adding recycled asphalt pavement, crushed virgin aggregate, or crushed concrete for additional strength. Let’s talk about the differences between mechanical, chemical and asphalt stabilization. “There’s nothing fundamentally different in terms of the process and application of those treatments.” “Among contractors, the terms many times overlap,” said Matt White, North American Sales Manager for Milling and R/S products at BOMAG Americas, Ridgeway, South Carolina. The primary difference between base stabilization and soil stabilization is how much of the stabilized material is comprised of the former layers and base of the road versus soil beneath the roadway. That’s what differentiates FDR from other rehabilitation techniques such as cold in-place recycling, which typically affects the upper layer or layers of the pavement rather than the entire road and base.
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“A sound base allows you to just maintain the surface layer, so the lifecycle cost of the pavement will be reduced.”Īccording to the Asphalt Recycling and Reclaiming Association (ARRA), stabilization can be done mechanically, chemically or with asphalt additives.Įach method begins by pulverizing the existing pavement layers and into the underlying base, sub-base or sub-grade layers. “The chief benefit of base stabilization is the potential for a longer lasting pavement,” said Kyle Hammon, product manager for mills, stabilizers and brooms at Roadtec Inc., Chattanooga. What is Base Stabilization?īase stabilization might be required for new road construction, but is also a component of full-depth reclamation (FDR) when all levels of the pavement have suffered damage. Before we outline those, let’s talk about what base stabilization is, and what it is not. Performing base stabilization properly relies on a number of best practices.
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It also eliminates the potential for reflective cracking and can be used to adjust profile and cross slope and on roadways requiring widening. By re-using materials on-site, base stabilization requires less trucking and material handling, which can reduce construction time and save money. When performed properly, base stabilization can result in a homogenous, well-graded material with improved structural characteristics. This makes it a valuable treatment option in any paving contractor’s toolbox.
#ROAD MIX BASE HOW TO#
Don’t let poor base or soil quality affect the quality of your asphalt mat! AsphaltPro outlines the best practices of how to perform base stabilization.īase stabilization is the process of improving the characteristics of the material upon which a roadway sits, including improving the structural capacity.