Objective
In many countries premature break down of asphalt roads is an accelerating problem. The origin is usually increasing traffic and use of super single tires, and higher axle loads. This project faces the problem of transport system efficiency. The main objective is to develop a new methodology of road construction and rehabilitation with the use of steel reinforcement fabrics in order to make road structures more cost effective by improving the lifetime. The project focus on development of the steel material and the configuration of the steel fabric, evaluation of the performance of road structures with steel reinforcement and optimisation of the design of reinforced road structures. The partnership of the consortium is complementary by combining the manufacturers of steel reinforcement fabrics (Fundia, ISB, and Ferriere Nord) with the users of the road rehabilitation technology with steel fabrics, the road administrators and contractors in Sweden, Finland and Italy (SNRA, Finnra and Autovie Venete). Road research organisations is included from Sweden, VTI, and as subcontractors.
Construction, reconstruction and road maintenance is a substantial market in the EU. The introduction of a new cost effective rehabilitation method will enable maintenance activities to be carried out with longer intervals and so reduce maintenance and reconstruction costs. The method is presumed to give thinner road structures and/or longer life cycles which will lead to reduced use of natural resources, like rock aggregates and gravel. Further, reduction of the need for maintenance, reduction of congestion, reduction of accidents, improvement of safety of road traffic can be expected. It is expected that this technology can be available for commercial use in Europe within two years after termination of the project. The direct economic benefit for the steel industry, the road administrators and European community could be substantial. The result of the steel and steel fabrics development will be used by the steel manufacturers and will increase their competitiveness. Road contractors, consultants and administrators will be the end-users of the result of the project and they will use the results in the maintenance and improvement of the road network. The road research partners (working as consultants for many contractors and highway administrators) will exploit the results in fields like: road design, rehabilitation techniques, and optimisation of road performance. At the end of the project the consortium will deliver a first users guide showing where, when and how to use steel reinforcement fabrics inroad design and construction for the improvement of the service life of the road. BE97-4853
Funding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
Linköping
Sweden
Participants (11)
34123 Trieste
33050 Bargnaria Arsa
85748 Garching
33100 Udine
90101 Oulu
301 04 Halmstad
33010 Osoppo
81241 München
781 87 Borlänge
02044 Espoo
81245 München
