Abstract
Nanoscale organofunctional silanes have been developed, tested and successfully applied to protect stone buildings in Europe against climatic effects since the 1860s. The same nanotechnologies can also be used in pavement engineering to create strong chemical bonds between a stabilising agent and granular material. The attachment of the organofunctional silane to a material also changes the surface of the material to become hydrophobic, thereby considerably reducing future chemical weathering. These properties allow naturally available materials to be used in any pavement layer at a low risk. In the built environment, scientists soon determined that the successful use of an organo-silane depends on the type and condition of the stone to be treated. The same principles apply to the implementation of applicable nanotechnologies in pavement engineering. Understanding the basic chemistry, determining the properties of the stabilising agent and the organofunctional modifying agent and the chemical interaction with the primary and secondary minerals of the material are essential for the successful application of these technologies in pavement engineering. This paper explains some basic chemistry, which fundamentally influences engineering outputs that can be achieved using New-age (Nano) Modified Emulsions (NME) stabilising agents with naturally available granular materials in all road pavement layers below the surfacing.
Highlights
With the new millennium, the world entered the fourth Industrial Revolution (4RI) [1] that will “broaden and deepen the connections between the biological, physical and digital worlds in unprecedented ways” [2]
A scientific understanding of the mineralogy of the granular materials as well as the basic chemistry and chemical reaction caused by the use of proven/available technologies in a traditionally conservative industry is required in line with the expected developments during the 4RI—the use and combination of available information and technologies to understand the basic science behind technologies and predict, with improved confidence, results
The results show the variation in the engineering measured properties possible in practice with all input parameters carefully controlled
Summary
The world entered the fourth Industrial Revolution (4RI) [1] that will “broaden and deepen the connections between the biological, physical and digital worlds in unprecedented ways” [2]. A scientific understanding of the mineralogy of the granular materials as well as the basic chemistry and chemical reaction caused by the use of proven/available technologies in a traditionally conservative industry is required in line with the expected developments during the 4RI—the use and combination of available information and technologies to understand the basic science behind technologies and predict, with improved confidence, results Such an understanding obviously applies to traditionally used reactive stabilising agents (e.g., cement, lime, modified bitumen emulsions, etc.), the general use of which often results in “unexplained” costly failures. Sci. 2021, 11, 9699 not to confuse with fundamental, detailed chemistry but to provide practical clarifications, explaining results and showing the consequences of insufficient specifications Knowledge about these basic chemical concepts controlling material behaviour in the field will assist greatly in the informed application of materials and the use of materialcompatible technologies by engineers specialising in road pavement engineering. The chemical characteristics of both nano-particles, i.e., the surfactant and the nano-silane modifier, are important factors in determining the engineering properties to be achieved when applied in practice for the treatment/stabilisation of available granular materials
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