Road Recycling and Stabilisation
The principal of road recycling is to use the existing road effectively as a linear quarry by recycling the existing worn out road back into a structurally sound pavement structure. Unlike the other surface treatments this technique involves deep layer recycling so in effect the full road depth can be treated and recycled. Or alternatively the process can be used to stabilise a foundation layer (soil stabilisation) as part of new works prior to overlaying with sub-base and bound layers.
Benefits
- Cost savings of up to 30% compared with conventional treatments.
- Effective solutions within restricted budgets.
- Less expenditure on imported materials e.g. aggregates and binders.
- Faster contract completion - c. 60% faster than other repair methods.
- High daily productivity - up to 1,500m2 treated in a single day.
- Recycled road foundation can accept surfacing and traffic quickly.
- Less traffic congestion and need for long term diversion schemes.
- Recycling in-situ material conserves natural resources.
- Fewer lorry movements, saving energy and reducing impact on local community.
- Fewer disposals to scarce landfill sites.
- Reduces CO2 emissions.
Some Important Considerations
- Various recycling processes are available using different binders including lime, pfa, foamed bitumen depending on the requirements of the job.
- Both in-situ and ex-situ process are available.
- Suitable for recycling virtually any class of road.
- Should form part of asset management planning to recycle the road at the end of its service life.