Abstract
Good transportation systems are pre-requisites to economic development. Empirically developed, archaic test methods are traditionally used for materials classification used in road construction. This system normally classifies naturally available materials subjected to chemical weathering conditions, as unsuitable for use in the load-bearing road pavement layers. Consequently, design standards normally require the use of imported materials at considerable costs, severely restricting road network development under scenarios of limited funding. The introduction of applicable nanotechnologies has been shown to enable the use of naturally available materials in all pavement layers at a substantial reduction in costs. The successful roll-out of these nanotechnology solutions depends on a sound, scientifically based approach. Aspects such as toxicity, health and safety, etc. must be addressed in a holistic approach together with material compatibility and fundamental engineering requirements. The successes achieved over the last decade, introducing material compatible New-age Modified Emulsions (NME), are based on fundamental concepts that need to be considered in a holistic test, evaluation and implementation strategy. This paper identifies fundamental concepts related to nanotechnology implementation in the context of road pavement engineering, which needs to be addressed to ensure successful implementation. Ad hoc implementation of new-age technologies without adequate scientific evaluation could prove detrimental.
Highlights
ObjectivesThe road pavement engineering fraternity is known for its conservative approach, still relying to a large extent, on empirically derived, material characterization tests developed in the early 1900’s
Introduction distributed under the terms andSilicon-based new-age nanotechnology products have been used in the built-environment since the early 1800s
This paper identifies the fundamental principles required for the evaluation, application and successful use of new-age nanotechnologies in pavement engineering, enabling the cost-effective use of naturally available materials in all the pavement layers of the road structure
Summary
The road pavement engineering fraternity is known for its conservative approach, still relying to a large extent, on empirically derived, material characterization tests developed in the early 1900’s. Pavement engineers have been inundated over the last few decades with “wonder products” that have been introduced into the market, claiming that it is able to solve all material related problems These products have no scientific basis, are usually accompanied with limited empirically derived test results and invariably proved disastrous in practice. As learnt by the built environment, the successful application of available nano-silica products to improve and protect stone, depends on the “type of stone” and the “condition of the stone” [1] It follows that the successful introduction of available, proven nano-silane products into pavement engineering to improve and protect naturally available materials, will depends, as a minimum, on a scientific material classification system. The introduction of these fundamental principles should ensure that any “wonder product” be timeously eliminated before practical implementation and costly, premature failures
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