Micro overlays with emulsion asphalt concrete

Efficient and sustainable asphalt maintenance

Asphalt roads generally have a long lifespan. Intensive use and changing weather conditions cause wear and tear in the top layer over time. In the past, the entire top layer was then replaced. This has quite an impact on traffic, the environment and costs. With emulsion asphalt concrete (EAB), this can be done much more efficiently and sustainably. It is easily applicable on all kinds of asphalt roads, whether municipal, provincial or national. But also on the red bicycle sidewalks, made of high-quality recyclable and sustainable black bitumen. A first from Rapid Asphalt, a specialist in EAB for over 30 years.

Emulsion asphalt concrete is ideally suited for life-extending maintenance of an asphalt road. "A road that has been in place for some time will eventually start to scribe and suffer stone loss," begins Bert Boekholt, business manager at Rapid Asphalt. "That's the time to apply EAB, with which you re-preserve the overlay. The product we apply ensures that the stones become fixed again and 'seals' the top layer, so to speak, allowing the road to last about seven to 10 years again. In a thirty-year cycle, this saves you one time on applying new asphalt. And at the end of its service life, the EAB for 100% is recyclable as ordinary asphalt."

Favorable MKI value

EAB is composed of a mineral sand mixture (crusher sand) extracted from Norwegian quarries, cement, water and a bitumen emulsion. "During processing, a chemical reaction occurs where the mixture 'breaks' and moisture is extracted," Boekholt explains. "The mixing is done on site in the car. We have our own onboard power plant, so to speak. It is then cold applied in a half-inch layer across the full width of the road surface." With minimal use of primary raw materials, cold processing and a thin layer thickness, EAB has a favorable MKI value. Rapid Asphalt calculates a savings of 32-45% compared to an overlay with hot mix asphalt. "Moreover, the beauty of this application is that it cures at lightning speed. That results in short detours, because traffic can get over it again fairly quickly. Indeed, that is also recommended, because it provides the post-compaction of the EAB."

Black binders

The Bituminous Works Section (see page 76, ed.) recently decided to phase out the use of clear binders. Rapid Asphalt is already ahead of the troops and already has a sustainable alternative with black bitumen. "We no longer use clear binders, which are very harmful to the environment, and are unique in this as Rapid Asphalt," says Boekholt proudly. A real first and a product that is currently in high demand. "Combine the favorable MKI value with the good LCA performance and it seems clear to me that governments and municipalities will choose this from now on."