23.02.2021

A significant step towards cheaper and more durable roads

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Research work under the project “Optimisation of the asphalt road surface structure through the use of modified bitumen” has been completed. The results obtained proved that the developed concepts of pavement construction with the use of highly modified HiMA bitumens allow for the construction of more durable and cheaper roads. Thanks to the inclusion of this technology in the “Catalogue of Typical Flexible and Semi-Rigid Pavement Structures”, it will be more accessible to road designers and contractors. This is a new chapter in the development of road construction in Poland.

In October 2019, Gdańsk University of Technology, together with the Warsaw University of Technology, the Road and Bridge Research Institute in Warsaw, Budimex, Grupa LOTOS and ORLEN Asfalt, signed a contract for the implementation of a research project entitled “Optimisation of the asphalt road surface structure through the use of modified bitumen”.

The extensive research work carried out for several months was successful. A consortium of manufacturers and scientists has confirmed the positive impact of highly polymer-modified bitumen, i.e. the so-called polymer bitumen. HiMA (Highly Modified Asphalt) bitumens  on the functional properties and fatigue life of road surfaces. During the project, a proposal of new requirements for mineral and asphalt mixtures used in the substructure was developed, the costs of construction, maintenance and operation of roads were estimated, and the environmental impact indicators of the asphalt surface in which HiMA bitumens were used were determined. Thus, it was proven that the proposed solutions significantly extend the life cycle of the surface and reduce the costs of road construction and maintenance.

The scope of the work carried out included laboratory tests using the latest achievements and advanced testing  procedures for mineral and asphalt mixtures,” says Professor Piotr Jaskuła from the Gdańsk University of Technology, which is the leader of the scientific consortium implementing the project. – Based on the results of laboratory tests, the analyses carried out confirmed a significant extension of the durability of the pavement, improvement of resistance to climatic and load factors of the designed pavement structure, where highly modified HiMA bitumen will be used in the asphalt foundation. The surfaces will be able to absorb significantly more road traffic than provided for typical surfaces, which will allow them to be used longer than typically designed surfaces. The extension of the durability of asphalt surfaces can reach up to 50 years. The new asphalt pavements with HiMA asphalt can be used in the pavement design of major transit roads in non-urban and urban areas. The advantage of the new solutions is that repairs and maintenance treatments are limited only to the upper layers of the surface, without the need to interfere with the asphalt foundation. This will contribute to a significant reduction in financial outlays on road maintenance, as well as reducing traffic difficulties and improving the safety of road users,” adds the professor.

By implementing new generation bitumen products, LOTOS Asfalt has been actively  contributing to the development of road construction and improving the durability and quality of roads for years. Naturally, representatives of our company could not be missing from such an important project. This is a model example of cooperation between the academic community and the business world, which allowed for the development of specific recommendations. The research showed that thanks to the wide use of highly modified bitumen, road infrastructure in Poland and around the world, it will gain new construction and material solutions beneficial to investors, contractors and road users  alike,” adds Cezary Godziuk, President of the Management Board of LOTOS Asfalt.

Now the project will enter the next stage. In the coming months, Budimex and its partners plan to carry out a test section using the solutions proposed in the work. We are counting on partnership cooperation with the Investor. The use of new technology can bring savings in the maintenance of  new roads – says Artur Popko, Vice-President of Budimex SA.

The target result of the research work are data sheets containing ready-made solutions for the construction of flexible pavements with the use of highly modified HiMA bitumen. They will be included in the “Catalogue of Typical Flexible and Semi-Rigid Pavement Structures” of 2014, which is commonly used by road designers when selecting appropriate technological solutions. For this purpose, data sheets together with test reports will be submitted to the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA).

ORLEN Asfalt actively promotes highly modified bitumens as a solution to improve the durability and quality of asphalt surfaces in Poland. Thanks to the cooperation between business and science, we are taking another step on the way to the development of innovative road construction technologies. We hope that further popularisation of solutions using HIMA bitumens will also have a positive impact on the further development of our business,” said Marek Pietrzak, President of ORLEN Asfalt.

The catalogue contains solutions accepted by GDDKiA, but the structures described so far have been based on the use of only road bitumens (unmodified) and bitumens modified with the classic amount of polymer. The addition of new data sheets should translate into the affordability and widespread use of HiMA highly modified bitumens among both designers and contractors.