Abstract:
The use of slurries as an alternative surfacing and maintenance option is well established
within the South African roads industry. Following the successful use of anionic Material
Compatible Nano Modified Emulsions (MC-NME) for the stabilisation of granular pavement
layers, the question was raised whether the same technology could be used to improve
the properties of cost-effective surfacings, with specific reference to cost-effective, labour-
intensive slurries. The first test section using a slurry containing a modified binder without
a cement filler comprising of an anionic Material-Compatible Nano Modified Emulsion
(MC-NME) binder without any cement additive as part of a Cape seal, was done in 2018
This MC-NME slurry, based on normal slurry mix design principles, was done in order to
test the viability of such an modified binder, while optimising the labour component for road
surfacing using rudimentary concrete mixers next to the site of operation and minimum
training to achieve the required mix. Subsequently, a laboratory investigation was done to
compare test results using a single granular material source to quantify any potential
benefits to be achieved using a MC-NME binder in a slurry mix. This paper gives the
results of the first comparative tests done on a slurry mix, comparing a MC-NME binder
slurry mix to a conventional slurry mix. The results from these initial tests show a
considerable increase in several performance properties of a slurry prepared using a
MC-NME binder as measured in a laboratory. (e.g. increase in tensile strength). These
results give ample motivation for a more comprehensive investigation to fully comprehend
and quantify the potential benefits from using a MC-NME binder in a slurry mix and to
establish design criteria for MC-NME modified binder slurries.
