Evaluation of Co-polymer Based Dust Suppressant Mixed with Soil in Unpaved Road: Lab Experiment

Abstract

Fugitive dusts, which are considered as a type of the atmospheric particular matter (PM), are produced from the surface of unpaved roads. Since fugitive dusts are atmospheric PM, they can cause respiratory illness and lung damage for humans, and even lead to premature death in sensitive individuals. In order to reduce the fugitive dusts generated from the road surface, a number of dust suppressants have been tested and used in the construction industry. In this paper, a co-polymer based suppressant was used, aiming to find a good method to cope with the fugitive dust emissions. The three concentration rates of co-polymer based dust suppressants were prepared: 1%, 3%, and 5% by weight. The soil was sampled in Sedona, Arizona, USA, and was mixed with co-polymer based dust suppressants. A series of lab experiments were conducted including moisture retention tests, surface strength tests, dynamic rolling (grinding) tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. Based on test results, the 5% co-polymer treated specimens showed better performance in mitigating the generation of fugitive dust emissions as compared with 0%, 1% and 3% co-polymer treated specimens.