Abstract
Microsurfacing has been utilized in the United States since 1980 as a maintenance treatment for pavement. This paper reviews the benefits, limitations, and factors that contribute to successful applications of microsurfacing. The history of microsurfacing, as well as a definition and process description of the treatment, is included. The body of scientific work on microsurfacing is shown to promote its use in preventative maintenance programs, and the potential for microsurfacing to meet tightening environmental and budgetary restrictions is discussed. Suggestions are given for future research to expand microsurfacing’s applications and efficacy stemming from the ability of microsurfacing to be cold-applied and utilize polymers in the bitumen.
Highlights
Microsurfacing is a road maintenance tool that involves laying a mixture of dense-graded aggregate, asphalt emulsion, water, polymer additive, and mineral fillers to correct or prevent certain deficiencies in pavement conditions [1]
In the same category of pavement treatments as seal coating and thin hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlays, microsurfacing treatments cover the entire width of the roadway to which they are applied [2]
Microsurfacing is generally classified as a preventative maintenance treatment as opposed to a corrective maintenance treatment [5]
Summary
Microsurfacing is a road maintenance tool that involves laying a mixture of dense-graded aggregate, asphalt emulsion (about 7% by weight), water, polymer additive (about 3% by weight), and mineral fillers (about 1% of weight of total dry mix) to correct or prevent certain deficiencies in pavement conditions [1]. Since the use of a polymer-modified binder results in more stability, microsurfacing can be placed in multistone thicknesses, unlike slurry seals. Due to this thickness, more powerful mixers are needed than those required for slurry seals. The main benefit achieved from microsurfacing over alternative pavement treatments results from the polymer-modified asphalt emulsion that chemically speeds evaporation of moisture. This enables it to set in less than one hour in most instances, requires no rolling, and allows traffic to return to the roadway quickly
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