High Friction Surfacing Systems Using Blends of Natural Aggregate and Calcined Bauxite

Shaun Friel, David Woodward

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)
269 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

High friction surfacing (HFS), bonded to a road surface at high risk locations, has been shown to significantly reduce road fatalities and serious injuries, i.e., HFS saves lives. Calcined bauxite is the preferred aggregate for use in HFS systems due to its unique ability to resist polishing and abrasion by vehicle tires. Calcined bauxite is expensive, negatively impacts the environment due to mining, production and transporting processes and has come under supply pressures in recent years. This paper investigates the potential for blending natural aggregates with calcined bauxite for use in HFS systems. The experiments involved subjecting HFS specimens to laboratory simulated trafficking and testing for skid resistance, texture depth and mass loss. The testing was carried out in laboratories in Spain and Northern Ireland. The findings suggest that there is the potential to reduce the amount of calcined bauxite used in HFS systems by replacing a percentage of the calcined bauxite with high PSV natural sandstone or volcanic tuff aggregate. The impact of this research could reduce the risks associated with supply issues to the HFS industry, reduce environmental impact by using less calcined bauxite in HFS systems and reduce costs associated with the aggregate component of HFS systems—enabling road authorities to install more systems at high risk locations to further reduce fatalities and serious injuries on their roads.
Original languageEnglish
Article number177
Pages (from-to)1-16
Number of pages16
JournalCoatings
Volume9
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 6 Mar 2019

Keywords

  • high friction surfacing
  • polished stone value;
  • calcined bauxite
  • blending aggregates
  • skid resistance
  • simulated trafficking
  • Blending aggregates
  • Polished stone value
  • Skid resistance
  • Calcined bauxite
  • High friction surfacing
  • Simulated trafficking

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