Asphalt Slurry Seals in Costa Rica: Concepts, Tests, and Specifications

Abstract

In Costa Rica, there is no use of any preservation technique in pavements, therefore, to investigate about slurry seals refers directly to the need of doing a bibliography revision about the state of the art of this practice in other countries. 

Due to the significance of the application of the preservation techniques worldwide, and the good results obtained, it is consider important for Costa Rica to begin the revision and the study of the advantages of the aplication of slurry seals. 

Slurry seals is a solution that permits to increase the service life of a pavement, and a better eficiency in the road costs of maintenance. 

This alternative is used in surfaces that didn't have very advanced damage; fatigue cracking and permanent deformation are considered advanced damages. 

The correct use of slurry seals allows to bring solutions to seal the pavements which present a very advanced surface oxidation, also to restore the superficial texture and provide a good skid resistance Another use of the slurry seals is to provide a waterproof surface and finally to correct raveling. 

On this research we studied in depth this seal technique, this possible uses and specifications to ensure a correct application in our environment. 

Also, we made a review of the laboratory tests that are used for mix design and to characterize the performance, for both, the components and the seal mix. 

The implementation of new technologies always suggests a change in the way of the proposals and how to carry out the pavement works. For this reason this research will bring the bases for this preservation technique to influence in a positive way the road infrastructure of Costa Rica.