Building Better Asphalt With Nanoclays

KC · 06-05-2012, 10:27 PM

Building Better Asphalt With Nanoclays
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0504135726.htm

..."You's team tested two types of nanoclays, adding 2-4 percent by weight to the asphalt. That's a smidgeon--less than half of a percent of the total weight of the asphalt pavement itself. But it made a big difference.
"It improved the viscosity significantly," You said. "That means it will provide better stiffness, which means that it won't deform as much in hot weather or under heavy traffic."
They don't yet know if nanoclay can help asphalt resist cracking in cold weather or under heavy loads, since their testing isn't completed. "But it is always our goal to develop new asphalt mixtures with those qualities," You said."

Rocket252 · 07-05-2012, 10:04 AM

Maybe they should have a Project X contest and give 10 million to the first group that can invent an economically viable strong asphalt?

What is the cost difference between concrete roads and Asphalt ones? 10x?

sundance · 07-05-2012, 11:47 AM

10x seems close to what it would cost to build.

The following document from the American CONCRETE Pavement Association indicates for the USA that concrete is cheaper even to construct
http://www.pavement.com/Downloads/QD...-%20August.pdf

A bit more unbiased view is from MIT
http://ardent.mit.edu/real_options/R...crete%2009.pdf

moahunter · 07-05-2012, 01:09 PM

^I find it interesting how some cities do freeways in ashphalt, some in concrete. And, I don't think its because of climate. For example, Houston in the US is all concrete, but Orlando in Florida seems to be a mix of ashphalt and concrete.

One downside to concrete, per AHD, is that it is more noisy than ashphalt.

Rocket252 · 07-05-2012, 01:33 PM

I think the main roads like yellowhead and Whitemud should be concrete just because it lasts longer and fewer construction delays.

soycd · 07-05-2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket252

I think the main roads like yellowhead and Whitemud should be concrete just because it lasts longer and fewer construction delays.

Repairs to storm, water and other utilities under this proposed concrete would be very expensive.

Blueline · 08-05-2012, 07:44 AM

I wonder where the source of nanoclays may be?
Perhaps in the settling ponds up in Ft McM ?

06-05-2012, 10:27 PM	#1
KC Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	Building Better Asphalt With Nanoclays Building Better Asphalt With Nanoclays http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0504135726.htm ..."You's team tested two types of nanoclays, adding 2-4 percent by weight to the asphalt. That's a smidgeon--less than half of a percent of the total weight of the asphalt pavement itself. But it made a big difference. "It improved the viscosity significantly," You said. "That means it will provide better stiffness, which means that it won't deform as much in hot weather or under heavy traffic." They don't yet know if nanoclay can help asphalt resist cracking in cold weather or under heavy loads, since their testing isn't completed. "But it is always our goal to develop new asphalt mixtures with those qualities," You said."

07-05-2012, 01:09 PM	#4
moahunter Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta	^I find it interesting how some cities do freeways in ashphalt, some in concrete. And, I don't think its because of climate. For example, Houston in the US is all concrete, but Orlando in Florida seems to be a mix of ashphalt and concrete. One downside to concrete, per AHD, is that it is more noisy than ashphalt. Last edited by moahunter; 07-05-2012 at 01:12 PM..

08-05-2012, 07:44 AM	#7
Blueline Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Edmonton	I wonder where the source of nanoclays may be? Perhaps in the settling ponds up in Ft McM ? __________________ Still waiting for the Arlington site to be reborn .......

07-05-2012, 10:04 AM	#2
Rocket252 Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta	Maybe they should have a Project X contest and give 10 million to the first group that can invent an economically viable strong asphalt? What is the cost difference between concrete roads and Asphalt ones? 10x?

07-05-2012, 11:47 AM	#3
sundance Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: City of Champions	10x seems close to what it would cost to build. The following document from the American CONCRETE Pavement Association indicates for the USA that concrete is cheaper even to construct http://www.pavement.com/Downloads/QD...-%20August.pdf A bit more unbiased view is from MIT http://ardent.mit.edu/real_options/R...crete%2009.pdf

07-05-2012, 01:33 PM	#5
Rocket252 Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta	I think the main roads like yellowhead and Whitemud should be concrete just because it lasts longer and fewer construction delays.