Using tempered Glass to Replace Asphalt Concrete Base and Asphaltic Wearing Course

Abstract

Asphalt concrete wearing course is provided on highways through out the world to provide a smooth and watertight surface for comfortable ride. This material has limited life span of roughly ten years but under severe weather conditions asphalt experiences early decay. The problem is compounded if the traffic load exceeds the design limits. Majority of highways including motorways in Pakistan are facing acute rutting problem. Research has been conducted by various agencies to investigate causes of such failures. A number of techniques have been tried to reduce these distreses but these techniques either do not work or they are uneconomical and now National Highway Authority (NHA) is gradually shifting towards RCC lanes for heavy traffic which are far more expensive than asphalt concrete roads. A new technique of using tampered glass is being proposed as replacement of asphalt concrete wearing course in highways. The innovative technique may provide a solution to the chronic and vexing problem of highway distresses and failure. Initial experiments conducted with a small portion of tampered glass have been very encouraging and has the potential to replace the flexible and rigid pavement in cost effective manner. The project is unique in the sense that the technique is yet to be tried any where in the world and has tremendous potential for patenting thus not only earning foreign exchange for Pakistan but also improving socio-economic conditions of the people