Performance evaluation of asphalt micro surfacing – a review

Abstract

In spite the fact that micro surfacing receives accolades by researchers of being the most cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and functionally viable pavement preventive maintenance amongst the various asphalt surface treatments (AST). However, there has not been a universally standardised mix design, acceptable material type, compatible polymer-binder combination, laboratory-field correlational performance tests, and its field dependency performance indicators. The requirements set by the International Slurry Surfacing Association (ISSA), Malaysian Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR-public works department) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) are stated to be guides. This study brings to fore the challenges, methodologies adopted and successes recorded towards solving the aforementioned concerns by various researches globally from existing literatures with emphasis on material-type effects, mix design methodology, serviceability/environmental performance, incorporation of industrial wastes and emulsion-polymer compatibility amongst others in micro surfacing. Hence, the contents of relevant published journal articles, theses, academic and industrial reports published within the last two decades (1979 - 2019) that met the selection criteria aforementioned were critiqued. Result indicated improvement in key pavement surface functional performance parameters as a function of enhanced polymer(s) used in improving desired performance, type of aggregate and its gradation, pre-treatment condition and ultimately emulsion type. However, there is a lack of total consensus on the mix design, even though polymers are unanimously agreed by researchers to improve performance. Future advances in micro surfacing should focus on the use of industrial wastes, synthetic material and especially by-products from industrial processes.

Evaluation of the Interlayer Bond Strength of Micro-Surfacing Mixes

“…During construction, the application rate was measured for each test section according to ASTM D2995. This was done by taping a weighed 1 ft 2 roofing paper on top of a steel plate and placing the roofing paper and the steel plate on the pavement immediately before spraying the tack coat. The roofing papers with tack coat were collected after tack coat spraying and re-weighed, then the measured tack coat application rate was calculated and included as a testing factorial as shown in Table 1.…”

“…Micro-surfacing is a preventive maintenance treatment performed by applying a thin layer of a cold mixture to extend pavement service life. This cold mixture consists of a polymer-modified asphalt emulsion, aggregates, mineral fillers, water, and additives ( 1 , 2 ). Production of micro-surfacing mixture is typically done in the field using a specialized piece of equipment, which is placed on a continuous basis by mixing the different constituents simultaneously in a pug mill ( 2 ).…”

“…This cold mixture consists of a polymer-modified asphalt emulsion, aggregates, mineral fillers, water, and additives ( 1 , 2 ). Production of micro-surfacing mixture is typically done in the field using a specialized piece of equipment, which is placed on a continuous basis by mixing the different constituents simultaneously in a pug mill ( 2 ). No compaction is typically required, and the finished surface is generally open to traffic soon after placement.…”

Study of long‐term skid and wear resistance of waterborne epoxy resin‐SBRcompound modified emulsified asphalt microsurfacing

“…In studies about performance evaluation of MS, wet track abrasion test (WTAT) and load wheel test (LWT) are commonly used to evaluate spalling and rutting, while cohesion is usually assessed using torque measurements. Usman et al 15 concluded that the main factors affecting the skid and rut resistance of MS are surface texture and bond strength between asphalt and aggregate, which can be evaluated by shear adhesion test and binder bond strength. In addition, the boiling test, Schulze‐Breuer and Ruck, is used to assess peeling characteristics and graded compatibility 16 .…”

Performance evaluation of microsurfacing with rubber powder

“…2,3 Problems such as insufficient coverage of reflective cracks and the inability to fully eliminate the rutting and the propagation of overlaid cracks of rutting after a short time have drawn the attention of researchers to further study on the modification of the mix design and the materials used in microsurfacing. [4][5][6] Bhargava et al indicated that the emulsion type and additive both play a major role in microsurfacing performance regarding mixing time, cohesion, consistency, raveling, and rutting resistance. 7 Another study showed significant improvement in rutting resistance and flexural tensile strain of fiberreinforced microsurfacing.…”