Ravel test results compiled from field reports in Victoria and New South Wales during 2017 demonstrated strong proof of Polycom product efficacy.
Fourteen unsealed roads of different material types and locations were tested including sandy clays, pit gravel to manufactured crushed rock and the material losses were compared. All data was verified to ensure accuracy.
Location variables including weather, material and traffic loading were studied and results demonstrated that roads treated with PolyCom had greater road surface stability under all test conditions.
Method
A ravel test consists of placing a one square metre frame on the road, within the wheel path section and sweeping up all the loose fines available within the one square metre. These fines are then bagged, weighed and recorded. This process is repeated for treated and untreated sections of road up to four times per kilometre to aid in accuracy.
Results
PolyCom Treated versus Un-treated:
Sandy clay – treated = 93.7 percent less material loss
Pit gravel or ridge gravel non crushed – treated = 74.7 percent less material loss
Clay with some gravel (ready for re-sheet) – treated = 94.2 percent less material loss
a) PolyCom treated roads yielded on average 329 grams per square metre
b) Untreated roads yielded on average 1695 grams per square metre
Data averages show PolyCom treated roads lost 84 percent less road material than untreated roads.
Conclusion
The test results confirm that PolyCom is very effective in lowering maintenance costs and making for a safer more sustainable unsealed road network that requires four to six times less maintenance grading.
Benefits of PolyCom:
- financially sustainable
- environmentally compliant
- reduced purchase of re sheet materials
- less trucking by using in-situ material
- considerable reduction in fuel use
- occupational health and safety compliant
- less repeat work
- reduced sediment run off from roads
- reduces mud and dust
- uses existing crew and machinery
- treated roads are less slippery when wet.
*Copy supplied by Earthco
