Full-Scale Testing of Chemical Dust Palliatives in a Semicontrolled Environment

Abstract

Two commercially available chemical dust palliatives were evaluated in full-scale experiments in an enclosed, controlled environment to evaluate their effectiveness and to determine impacts to a stabilized surface. The dust palliatives were topically applied at multiple application rates to the surface of a silty sand soil that had been stabilized using a combination of Portland cement and polypropylene monofilament fibers. Simulated traffic was applied to enclosed test sections using the heavy vehicle simulator-aircraft fitted with a C-17 aircraft tire at 15,560 kg (34,300 lb) load. The effectiveness of the dust palliatives was quantitatively measured using both gravimetric and optical detection devices. Results from the experiment show nearly complete reduction in dust for Palliative 2 (a synthetic oil) and heavy applications of Palliative 1 (an emulsion polymer). The methodology used for experimentally determining the dust palliative effectiveness provided a mechanism for reducing environmental influences that often invalidate and confuse the results of field experimentation data.