ASI Solutions, the leading provider of asphalt preservation technology in the UK and around the globe, is calling on local authorities and other bridge owners to come forward to take part in a new demonstration.
The company wants to demonstrate its Rhinophalt® asphalt preservation product on bridge decks as the second part of a new research project looking at how the product can help provide waterproofing for bridge decks, saving councils money on maintenance of them in the future. Working with its approved installers, ASI wants to apply Rhinophalt to different types of bridges to see what effect it has on helping to keep the bridge decks in better condition for longer, the same as it would do on the surface of any part of the road network, where it is already proven to keep out water ingress aided by its natural ingredient Gilsonite, which is a natural bitumen that is much tougher than normal paving grade bitumen, meaning it preserves, protects and extends the life of the asphalt infrastructure and is proven to withstand all extreme weather conditions.
“While we know Rhinophalt is already a proven technology on bridges around the world through our extensive work treating the second longest ocean crossing bridge in the world -the Hangzhou Bay Bridge in China-we would like to explore its positive effect on waterproofing on as many different types of bridges as possible including arch bridges which have little or no waterproofing at all,” said Howard Robinson, Managing Director of ASI Solutions. “We would welcome discussions with any local authorities who could help us to demonstrate the technology that could change the way we maintain our bridges in the UK,” he added.
ASI’s research has indicated that although bridges make up less than 1% of the surface area of the UK road network, the defects in asphalt paving over bridges is disproportionately higher on bridge decks than on the adjacent carriageway. In addition, the impact of asphalt defects on bridges can also be disproportionate, as bridges usually form a critical link in an area, and diversionary routes may be long and inconvenient for motorists. Narrow widths on the bridge may also not be conducive to safe single lane working.
One benefit of the Rhinophalt treatment is that the porosity of the asphalt surface course is significantly reduced. Initial hydraulic conductivity testing on newly treated asphalts have demonstrated a porosity reduction of over 95% when compared to the untreated pavement, and when re-tested six years later the results are still showing more than 80%. This helps prevent the ingress of water into the asphalt layers, and therefore can reduce the damaging effects of water trapped in the asphalt layers on bridge decks.
Any councils interested in taking part should contact ASI Solutions at: [email protected]
