The maintenance of the roads in proper way is significant, as far as safety, durability, and ability to carry the traffic are concerned. Failure to maintain roads can easily lead to their degradation owing to the traffic, climatic factors and natural road degeneration. Funding on road maintenance will enhance general driving safety and increase the duration it will take to carry out more costly repairs in future.
Bituminous surface treatment (BST) is a very effective method for preserving and reinforcing road surfaces. Not only will this cost-effective method extend a road's life, but it will also enhance skid resistance and overall durability. Municipalities and property owners apply BST all over the country for the maintenance of highways, urban streets, or rural roads.
Benefits of Bituminous Surface Treatment
The use of bituminous surface treatment has many benefits:
Extended Life: Protects existing roads, delaying complete resurfacing
Enhanced Safety: Increases surface skid resistance, which decreases accidents
Water Tightness: Prevents water penetration, which will reduce cracking and surface integrity through water damage
Cost Effectiveness: Requires a lesser financial commitment than complete resurfacing in asphalt
Little or No Disruption: Quick to apply and install making minimal disruption to surrounding traffic
Types of Bituminous Surface Treatments
Many methods of BST exist for various traffic and net road conditions:
Single Surface Treatment
Suitable for low-volume roads
One application of bitumen followed by a layer of aggregate
Double Surface Treatment
Two applications that are best for roads with moderate volume
Provides enhanced durability and load bearing potential
Slurry Seal and Chip Seal
Smooth and textured surfaces with a higher surface skid resistance
Commonly used on urban street and parking lot surfaces
Fog Seal
A very thin coating of material that seals small size cracks
Being the highest ratio of bitumen to aggregate, helps to renew older road surfaces
Bituminous Surface Treatment Materials
Selection of high-quality materials, leads to long-lasting surface treatment materials:
Bitumen – Either cut-back, emulsion, or hot-applied varieties
Aggregate – Crushed stone, gravel, or sand for surface strength
Additives – Impart adhesion and durability
Tack Coats – Enable a binding integrity layer between bituminous surface layers
Bituminous Surface Treatment Process
A regimented procedure to ensure effectiveness:
Surface Preparation – Clean, patch small percent size cracks, debris remove
Bitumen Application – Distribute the binding layer uniformly
Aggregate – Break or stone to be distributed uniformly on surface of bitumen
Rolling and Compaction – Assures a proper bond and to make uniform surface texture
Sweeping the Excess – The last step is to examine and clean off any aggregate that was not incorporated into the surface treatment
Factors Influencing Effectiveness
The effectiveness of bituminous surface treatments (BST) relies on several important factors:
Traffic Load - Heavy traffic may necessitate double treatments
Material Quality - High-quality bitumen and aggregates will prolong the life of the treatment
Weather Conditions - To apply the treatment properly, the surface must be dry and warm
Workmanship - A well-skilled treatment contractor will provide consistency in coverage and adherence of the treatment
Tips for Maximum Maintenance and Longevity
If you want to make the most of a bituminous surface treatment, conduct regular checks for cracking or loose aggregates, and repair any disrepair as soon as possible. After correct repair, you should always follow the prescribed reapplication schedule based on traffic intensity. Its also a good idea to maintain proper drainage to keep water from potentially damaging the surface.
Applications of Bituminous Surface Treatment
Bituminous Surface Treatment has many applications and is being used almost everywhere there are all kinds of surfaces:
Rural and urban roads – extend the life of the road as well as improve safety
Parking lots and new airport runways – provide smooth, durable surfaces
Driveways and private roads – provide a cost-effective layer of protection for smaller uses
Industrial Sites – can hold up to heavy moves of equipment, trucks and vehicles all day
In Summary
Bituminous surface treatment is a low cost, durable, and useful road maintenance solution to improve or maintain the use of a roadway. Whether highway, road or parking lot, bituminous surface treatments improve safety, improve skid resistance, and protect the surface against water damage and wear. By committing to having a professionally treated surface with bituminous surface treatments, it is possible to provide the safest and most useful roadways with visually appealing surfaces that last.
