APPLICATION OF EXTEMPORANEOUS BENTONITE-MIXED COLD ASPHALT

Abstract

Cold mix asphalt has recently been developed as an ecologically friendly and low-cost material. It is available for purchase in market shops and widely used not only to repair potholes in pavements and parking lots but also to construct simple flat spaces in private yards. Various types of novel and improved cold asphalts have been prepared using industrial machines. Previous studies have shown that cold asphalt pavements have relatively high permeability. Specifically, high permeability is required for national highways but not for general roads. Additionally, cold asphalt can be used as a simple ground structure cover. This study developed an instant bentonite-mixed cold asphalt with low permeability. It was prepared by mixing bentonite with cold asphalt on site. Pavement construction was completely manual without special equipment. Performance evaluations such as long-term on-site monitoring, permeability and hardness tests, and uniaxial tests were conducted. The results suggested that the bentonite-mixed cold asphalt exhibited low permeability, and therefore, effectively resisted water penetration. This effect appeared immediately after pavement construction and was maintained for at least one year, including in summer and winter. The hardness was not sufficient for use in pavements, and hardness improvement should be investigated in future studies. It could be used for emergency treatments to cover ground surface following further improvements.