|
|
technologieS
|
|
Italgrip
System
The Need
The ever increasing number of registered vehicles
has resulted in, up until the present time, a parallel
increase in the number of road accidents. One of the
reasons for this is that the quality of the road surface
has not adequately kept pace with the increased volume
of traffic. It has long been recognized that there exists
a direct link between the condition of the road surface
and the level of road safety. However, more recent accidents
studies have given rise to high level investigations
onto a particular aspect of roads surface condition
- that of texture and it’s bearing on skid resistance.
|
 |
Italgrip System being applied on highway.
The truck on the right is spraying epoxy adhesive
while the one on the left follows and spreads
the synthetic aggregate.
|
|
| |
It has
been shown that a road surface must offer sufficient
friction between itself and the tires of a vehicle,
(especially in wet conditions), to allow the vehicle,
travelling at a given speed, to safely carry out the
maneuvers demanded by the driver, and/or the road lay
out. Scrim measurements have confirmed the direct relationship
between wet skidding accident and surface skid resistant
properties. |
| |
| The
Technology
The Italgrip System increases
skid resistance, reduces hydroplaning risk, reduces
noise, and reduces salt consumption and can be
applied to asphalt, concrete, or steel surfaces.
It has been applied to several roadways in Europe,
particularly road sections exhibiting problem
areas. The Italgrip System improves road surface
safety and performance by using an epoxy adhesive
to bind a synthetic aggregate to the road surface.
|
|
|
| |
|
The aggregate, manufactured
from steel slag, and the epoxy have been optimized
over years of research and use. The system adheres
a synthetic aggregate to the road surface using
an epoxy adhesive. The specially formulated flexible
compound is applied in accurately metered quantities
onto the pavement.
The chemically curing binder, with its excellent
chip retention properties, can be so accurately
controlled that it accepts surface deformations
without contractional cracking problems on curing.
|
|
|
Before the freshly applied binder has begun to cure
it is covered with an excess of MC-1 extremely high
polish resistant synthetic aggregate. The resulting
surface exhibits the following properties which positively
influence the skid resistance: 1.Good microtexture and
2.Good macrotexture. The macrotexture is guaranteed
by the choice of aggregate grading 1.0-4.0mm, and the
microtexture by the type of aggregate used e.g. a hard,
synthetic stone with high P.S.V. and high porosity.
The
Benefits
- Durability: Research forecasts predict that the
initial BPN values will stabilize, at the end of
service life, at a level equal to an open grade
bituminous surface, when new.
- Economy: Very cost effective. Approximately half
the cost competitive systems in use.
- Minimal traffic delays: The specially formulated
binder ensures continuous application. Time for
reopening of the road to normal traffic is reduced
to a minimum.
- Output capacity: Designed to achieve up to 25.000
m2 per day i.e. 3,3 km of a two lane motorway can
be treated per day. This means fewer man hours (lower
application costs).
- Reduced hydroplaning risks: Allows an excellent
surface drainage due to its good macro-texture which
guarantees water outflow between the top and the
depth of texture.
- Reduced braking distance: Reduce about 40% braking
distance as a direct result of excellent anti-skid
properties. Furthermore a vehicle braking in a turn
keep road direction without locking wheels.
- Minimal layer thickness: Designed to be applied
at a thickness of 2,5 mm thus requiring no adjustment
to street furniture nor does it have any negative
effect on the surface water drainage.
- Reduced usage of salt in winter: Surface treated
with Italgrip System do not readily suffer form
tire adhesion problems caused by frost and black
ice conditions. This in turn obviates the need for
excessive salting of bridges and other areas prone
to these problems.
- Noise reduction: When treated with the Italgrip
System an apparent noise reduction effect is achieved
by an advantageous shift of frequency, brought about
by the fine structure of the aggregate used. Measurements
made on surface treated with Italgrip System demonstrate
a considerable noise reduction effect through favorable
shifting of the frequency. Result: Noise reduction
using concrete surface of 3,0/4,0 db (A) (test certificate
available)
- Loose chipping: By choosing an aggregate grading
of 1.0 -4.0 mm problems commonly associated with
"loose chipping" are avoided.
- Chemical resistance: Immune to salt and can withstand
limited exposure to fuels i.e. petrol and kerosene.
- Low weight: Brings only an additional 4 kg/m2
loading thus making it ideal for treatment of bridge
decks.
Wide application possibilities: Can be used to treat
concrete surface in addition to bitumen based pavements.
Status
The Italgrip System has been used in over 40 applications
in Italy, primarily to increase skid resistance for
highway surfaces with low friction. Highway Innovative
Technology Evaluation Center (HITEC) performs independent
product evaluations of new and innovative products for
which widely accepted codes and specifications do not
apply. Overall, the product appeared to maintain its
texture and uniformity after exposure to several years
of high volume, high speed, and high truck volume traffic,
as well as salt and snowplows. Even the oldest application,
installed in 1991, did not show cracking or raveling
of the Italgrip System. Each application showed that
the aggregate maintains its integrity after years of
exposure and does not polish.
Barriers
The product must be placed a temperatures above 50 degrees
F, with the most efficient temperature being above 70
degrees F. Other than that, the only current barrier
is the inability to meet the needs of all potential
new customers due to there being only one truck to apply
the adhesive.
Points of Contact
- Kimberly Higgins, Italgrip USA, Inc, 128 Northington
Dr. East Amherst, NY, 14051,
Tel: 716-639-8819,
Fax: 716-625-6786,
E-Mail: khiggins@italgrip.com
References
- http://www.new-technologies.org/ECT
- ITALGRIP USA, Inc.
http://www.italgrip.com/page1.htm
- Civil Engineering Research Foundation(CERF), Highway
Innovative Technology Evaluation Center (HITEC),
http://www.cerf.org/hitec/news/italgrip.htm,
http://www.cerf.org/hitec/eval/ongoing/italgrip.htm
|
|
|
|
|
