Answering Some Basic Questions About Road Stabilization
Posted on: 9 January 2018
Road stabilization can be a good option if you're constructing a new building or other such project where the roads are not yet paved. This stabilization can cut down on dust and dirt that would otherwise become airborne due to heavy traffic, and can make the roads safer for driving. Note a few questions you might have about road stabilization, and this can help you to determine if it's the right choice for your construction project.
Why stabilize versus pave?
Paving a road is often much more expensive than stabilizing the road, and some areas may be difficult to reach with concrete mixers or asphalt spreaders. Some types of soil may even need to be compacted and stabilized before you could cover them with those materials!
While roads will need to have this stabilization repeated over the years, remember that both concrete and asphalt also need regular maintenance, patching, and replacing, and this can be costly and cumbersome. Stabilizing a road can then give your vehicle traffic a solid and secure surface, but for much less money and less maintenance than actual paving.
What types of vehicles can be driven over stabilized roads?
A stabilized road can often be as strong and secure as a standard paved road, depending on the stabilization method and materials used. Dense materials like lime or clay might be mixed with soil so that it becomes very compact, and able to easily absorb the weight of heavy trucks without those vehicles sinking into the road, and without the road shifting and settling. If your new construction will mean such heavy-duty vehicles, or vehicles with very narrow tyres that may sink into soil, such as tractors and other farming equipment, discuss this with your road stabilizing company. They can then offer the best materials and stabilizing methods for your needs.
How are stabilized roads maintained?
The maintenance needed for each stabilized road will depend on the methods and materials used, but many will only need to be compacted over the years. This can involve a steamroller, or may require a type of spray-on application that covers the road and helps to control dust and dirt. Binders that are meant to mix with the materials used for stabilization may also need to be added after some time, to ensure the lime, clay, or other such substance is still thick and strong. Your stabilization expert can tell you the type of work you would expect, and how often it will need to be done, considering the materials used and the traffic expected on the road.
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