UTC 2022 Funding - Cycle 2 Research Projects

Project Number: CY2-OU-08
Project Title: Development of Novel and Affordable Chip Seals for Maintenance and Preservation of Climate-Resilient Pavement using Sustainable Materials
Performing Institution: University of Oklahoma
Principal Investigators: Arif Sadri, Syed Ashik Ali, and Musharraf Zaman
Proposed Start and End Date: 10/01/2024 to 09/30/2025
Project Description: Pavement infrastructure is vital for quality of life, the economy, and societal prosperity. With rising demands and limited resources, maintaining and preserving this infrastructure is increasingly crucial. Severe weather and climate extremes heighten these needs. Chip seals, commonly used in Region 6 and nationwide, are essential for preserving pavements. They seal against water intrusion and improve safety by enhancing friction through better macro- and micro-texture. For effective chip sealing, high-quality cover aggregate and binder are essential. For projects involving High Friction Surface Courses, ODOT and other state DOTs in Region 6 currently use Bauxite as the cover aggregate. Although effective, use of this imported material increases cost and reduces affordability. Recent developments in pavement surfaces with high reflectivity, make engineered chip sealing a suitable tool for addressing the heat island effects, particularly in urban areas.

To this end, the research team will develop an innovative chip sealing technology and test it in the field using local and sustainable materials. The team seeks to use Tar Creek mine chat from Oklahoma and silica sand from Texas as cover aggregates and a specialized asphalt binder with high reflectivity to develop this innovative and affordable chip sealing technology. This specialized binder is transparent in nature and can dissipate heat faster than conventional black asphalt binder. Moreover, chat materials are very hard and angular, making them (i.e., washed chat with desired gradation) a suitable cover aggregate. Similarly, silica sands, being mined in several quarries in Texas, possess cover aggregate qualities. In the proposed study, both of these cover aggregates will be used as a replacement of Bauxite.
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