Material compatible nano modified emulsion(MC-NME) technologies in slurry design and applications for road surfacings

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.