South Australia's Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) has approved Carboncor, an environmentally friendly cold asphalt premix, for use on roads in the State.
The DPTI trialed Carboncor Cold Asphalt on Owen Road at the Templers Road junction MM43.6, north of Roseworthy, Gawler, South Australia, in December last year. A total of 31 metric tons was installed into an area of 210 square meters (m2) at a nominal thickness of 30 millimeters (mm), including a 12 m2 area which required a thickness of 50mm.
The road was initially constructed in 1937 and was resealed in 1992. Patch work and repair had constantly been required. Following installation, Carboncor Cold Asphalt proved capable of withstanding light and heavy-duty traffic types, and even though the original road base was severely compromised, it showed little signs of rutting, cracking, lateral movement or delamination from the adjacent asphalt after 3 months.
The trial led DPTI to conclude that Carboncor Cold Asphalt is suitable for routine road maintenance and permanent pothole repairs as well as a replacement for standard hot asphalt in remote locations. "I can recommend this cold mix product for a range of road maintenance and repair applications," says Hugo van Loon, DPTI's Senior Asphalt Engineer.
Before the trial, samples of both imported and locally produced material were sent to a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA)-accredited independent asphalt laboratory in Perth for analysis. The tests showed that both materials complied with the specification requirements for:
- Main Roads Western Australia (MRWA) Specification 504 Wearing Coarse AC10 (Freeways and Highways)
- The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) / Australian Asphalt Pavement Association (AAPA) Asphalt Specification - Dense graded: Highways, Arterial, Industrial and Distributor Roads AC10
Carboncor Cold Asphalt is a water-based and environmentally-friendly product. Its IP protected technology incorporates an enhanced penetration-based carbon bonding system that results in elevated binder strength and mix endurance. The asphalt was also tested on gravel roads, proving that the cold-mix is an economical option.
"We see our products as an innovative, environmental, and economical solution for a world that is seeking to reduce its carbon footprint," said Carboncor Products CEO Jim Layard. "Our current agreement and accreditation with the DPTI will offer the South Australian market a viable and cost-effective alternative cold-mix product."
Chief Engineer Andre Van Zyl emphasised that Carboncor's products are continuously tested worldwide in both in-house and third-party laboratories. The tests ensure its continued compliance to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards for all duty road types as a permanent wearing course installation, and long-term maintenance and repair solution.