High Volume/High Speed Asphalt Roadway Preventative Maintenance Surface Treatments

South Dakota Department of Transportation

Background

South Dakota has had a very aggressive surface seal program. Chip seals and sand seals have been the treatments of choice but they have been less successful on high volume/high speed roadways. Chip retention is the major problem associated with these failures. The high number of broken windshields caused by loose chips has resulted in multiple claims on an individual project.

It is recognized that some form of surface treatment alternative is desired to attain the maximum service life of these asphalt pavements. Alternate methods such as precoated aggregate, slurry seals, fog seals over chip seals, and a variety of other methods need to be considered. The different variables involved with chipseals (aggregates, binders, construction, etc.), as well as alternatives to chip seals need to be researched for possible improvements.

Goals

To develop guidelines to allow proper selection of surface treatments. To develop design guidelines for chip seals. To develop construction guidelines for chip seals. To construct chip seal test sections to validate design and construction guidelines.

Findings

The South Dakota DOT has made extensive use of chip seal and sand seal surface treatments in the maintenance of their AC pavements. Such surface treatments have been found to provide a cost-effective means of extending the life of AC pavements in South Dakota. Although the use of chip seals and sand seals have for the most part been reliable treatments, there have been some notable failures, especially on high-volume, high-speed roadways. This project was undertaken to investigate the use of chip seals for such applications and to make recommendations to improve their performance. This project also involved the development of guidelines for the design and construction of chip seals.

To evaluate the use of chip seals in South Dakota, several efforts were undertaken. First, an extensive literature review was conducted to develop an understanding of the latest practices and experiences. Second, interviews were conducted with South Dakota DOT from all departments involved in the chip seal process to investigate their practices and to determine areas for improvement. Finally, test sections were constructed to evaluate the performance of standard and modified chip seal designs. The test sections consisted of 12 chip seal designs and included two aggregate types (quartzite and natural aggregate) and alternate chip seal designs with new gradations and other modifications and enhancements. Based on these efforts, recommendations are provided to improve chip seal performance. In addition, guidelines were developed to select feasible surface treatments for a specific project.

Status

Completed.

Key Contacts

Project Manager: Daris Ormesher, SDDOT
Project Researcher: Monte Wade, Applied Pavement Technology, Inc.

Design and Analysis Materials and Construction Technology Management and Preservation Surface Characteristics Construction and Materials Quality Assurance Environmental Stewardship	High Volume/High Speed Asphalt Roadway Preventative Maintenance Surface Treatments South Dakota Department of Transportation Background South Dakota has had a very aggressive surface seal program. Chip seals and sand seals have been the treatments of choice but they have been less successful on high volume/high speed roadways. Chip retention is the major problem associated with these failures. The high number of broken windshields caused by loose chips has resulted in multiple claims on an individual project. It is recognized that some form of surface treatment alternative is desired to attain the maximum service life of these asphalt pavements. Alternate methods such as precoated aggregate, slurry seals, fog seals over chip seals, and a variety of other methods need to be considered. The different variables involved with chipseals (aggregates, binders, construction, etc.), as well as alternatives to chip seals need to be researched for possible improvements. Goals To develop guidelines to allow proper selection of surface treatments. To develop design guidelines for chip seals. To develop construction guidelines for chip seals. To construct chip seal test sections to validate design and construction guidelines. Findings The South Dakota DOT has made extensive use of chip seal and sand seal surface treatments in the maintenance of their AC pavements. Such surface treatments have been found to provide a cost-effective means of extending the life of AC pavements in South Dakota. Although the use of chip seals and sand seals have for the most part been reliable treatments, there have been some notable failures, especially on high-volume, high-speed roadways. This project was undertaken to investigate the use of chip seals for such applications and to make recommendations to improve their performance. This project also involved the development of guidelines for the design and construction of chip seals. To evaluate the use of chip seals in South Dakota, several efforts were undertaken. First, an extensive literature review was conducted to develop an understanding of the latest practices and experiences. Second, interviews were conducted with South Dakota DOT from all departments involved in the chip seal process to investigate their practices and to determine areas for improvement. Finally, test sections were constructed to evaluate the performance of standard and modified chip seal designs. The test sections consisted of 12 chip seal designs and included two aggregate types (quartzite and natural aggregate) and alternate chip seal designs with new gradations and other modifications and enhancements. Based on these efforts, recommendations are provided to improve chip seal performance. In addition, guidelines were developed to select feasible surface treatments for a specific project. Status Completed. Key Contacts Project Manager: Daris Ormesher, SDDOT Project Researcher: Monte Wade, Applied Pavement Technology, Inc.	Events NCPP Calendar of Events View all Upcoming Pavements Events More Information Office of Asset Management's Pavement Management Group Pavement Publications System Preservation Contact Celso Gatchalian Office of Asset Management 202-366-1342 E-mail Celso
	This page last modified on 06/08/06