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Volume 11, No. 21Journal 21

DOI:https://doi.org/10.15517/851pfa23

Published October 22, 2025

Scientific Papers

  1. Mónica Jiménez Acuña, Denia Sibaja Obando, Doris Molina Zamora (Author)

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

    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.  

  2. Mónica Jiménez Acuña, Denia Sibaja Obando, Doris Molina Zamora (Author)

    Cold Mix Asphalt in Costa Rica: Concepts, Tests, and Specifications

    Asphalt cold mixes become attractive as an alternative compared to asphalt hot mixes due to the increase of the necessity to find economic solutions in the investments at the same time to have a sustainable development. For this reason, it is considered important for Costa Rica to begin with the revision and study of the advantages in the application of this technology. 

    The production of asphalt cold mixes implicates savings in energy consumption and the reduction of noxious fumes and dust. 

    An advantage of this type of mix is their versatility, which permits the use of a large variety of aggregates and emulsion types, also they can be used in diverse environmental conditions. 

    For surface applications, dense graded cold mixes are used for light and medium traffic, but open graded are used for heavy traffic. 

    For the reparation of potholes, cold mixes are a good selection as long as the material adjusts the pavement characteristics. 

    On this research, the asphalt cold mix technique was studied in the possible uses and specifications to ensure a correct application in our environment. 

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

    After the theoretical approach, it is necessary to emphasize the construction process to produce a long-lasting asphalt cold mix. 

    The decision to use these mixes depends on the following considerations: the technical-economic comparison, the importance, and the location of the construction site, traffic, and climate conditions among others. The objective of this study is to find the basis for this maintenance technique to be fully spent in conjunction with all the advantages it brings. 

  3. Gustavo Badilla Vargas (Author)

    Determination of Pavement Surface Regularity through the Calculation of the International Roughness Index (IRI)

    The International Roughness Index (IRI) has been a widely used parameter in order to determine the pavement surface characteristics in roads. Recently, in Costa Rica, the Administration has been introducing the measurement of IRI as a parameter of acceptance of several road construction works. However, it has not been possible to achieve an appropriate implementation of this index. The article presents the main details, cares, and procedures involved in the calculation of the IRI, with the purpose of being considered in the definition of specifications to accept projects or in the evaluation of the road network. 

  4. Roy Barrantes Jiménez, Guillermo Loría, Denia Sibaja Obando, Juan Diego Porras Alvarado (Author)

    Development of Management Tools Based on the Determination of Indexes

    In order to answer to the express need to establish tools that were capable of offering support for the eventual creation of an Asset Management System in Costa Rica, the Research Unit of the Lanamme UCR developed a methodology that allows to define strategies of intervention in the network level for the main road network in Costa Rica. This methodology is based on a modification of the VIZIR method, developed by the Central Laboratory of Bridges and Roads (France, 1972) and used by the Sectorial Planning Department of Costa Rica since 1995 and based also on the definition of homogeneous sections by the International Roughness Index (IRI). With this methodology it was possible to calculate for each IRI's homogeneous section other important indexes, such as the Present Serviciability Index (PSI), the Pavement Condition Index (PCI), the quality notes Q (from VIZIR) and typical values of deflections for every section, depending on the average daily traffic (TPD) on each one. With this complete database of Information, it was possible to establish, in each homogeneous section, a specific strategy of intervention such as maintenance, structural reinforcement or reconstruction, all this information was taken to maps in a geographical Information system for easy managing and updating. 

  5. Fabián Elizondo Arrieta, Denia Sibaja Obando (Author)

    Stabilization and Improvement of Unpaved Roads

    Costa Rica has a non-paved National Road Network that includes about 3000 km, during 2008 MOPT- CONAVI created a Program for Maintenance of non-paved roads that contemplates an investment of $7.000 million ($12.5 million). The optimization of these resources as well as the implementation of different alternatives from the ones used nowadays (ballast and leveling) that allow to improve the life of this type of pavements, to reduce the maintenance costs and offering better conditions to the users; this would bring many advantages and it would be very important for the country. The cement, lime and bitumen have been used widely in other countries for the stabilization and improvement of materials with excellent results, for this reason the LanammeUCR, by means of this project, formulated a "Guide for the stabilization of non-paved routes" based on international experiences, which presents a procedure for the election of the optimal additive based on the type of material, procedures of design and evaluation of properties, and constructive processes. Finally, pilot projects could be carried out with the MOPT-CONAVI in future stages, to validate and put into practice these alternatives.