Microsurfacing has been utilized in the United States since 1980 as a maintenance treatment for pavement. This paper reviews the benefits, limitations, and factors that contribute to successful applications of microsurfacing. The history of microsurfacing, as well as a definition and process description of the treatment, is included. The body of scientific work on microsurfacing is shown to promote its use in preventative maintenance programs, and the potential for microsurfacing to meet tightening environmental and budgetary restrictions is discussed. Suggestions are given for future research to expand microsurfacing’s applications and efficacy stemming from the ability of microsurfacing to be cold-applied and utilize polymers in the bitumen. 1. Introduction Microsurfacing is a road maintenance tool that involves laying a mixture of dense-graded aggregate, asphalt emulsion (about 7% by weight), water, polymer additive (about 3% by weight), and mineral fillers (about 1% of weight of total dry mix) to correct or prevent certain deficiencies in pavement conditions [1]. In the same category of pavement treatments as seal coating and thin hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlays, microsurfacing treatments cover the entire width of the roadway to which they are applied [2]. The treatment may be as thin as 3/8 inch (9.5？mm), or it can fill wheel ruts up to 2 inches (50.8？mm) deep using multiple passes. Because of the similar ingredients used in microsurfacing as in slurry seals, microsurfacing is sometimes referred to as a “polymer-modified slurry seal.” The difference, however, is slurry seals cure through a thermal process while microsurfacing uses a chemically controlled curing process [3]. Since the use of a polymer-modified binder results in more stability, microsurfacing can be placed in multistone thicknesses, unlike slurry seals. Due to this thickness, more powerful mixers are needed than those required for slurry seals. In order to provide a uniform flow of the mixture into the spreader box, a twin-shafted paddle or spiral auger is needed [4]. Microsurfacing should not be applied if either the pavement or air temperature is below 50°F (10°C) nor if there is a possibility of the treatment freezing within 24 hours of placement [3]. Microsurfacing is generally classified as a preventative maintenance treatment as opposed to a corrective maintenance treatment [5]. Due to this classification by agencies involved in road repair and maintenance, microsurfacing is most often used as a surface treatment to correct rutting, improve surface friction, and extend pavement
References
[1]
D. Hein, C. Olidis, M. Darter, and H. Von Quintus, “Impact of recent technology advancements on pavement life,” in Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Transportation Association of Canada, St. John’s, 2003.
[2]
S. Labi, K. S. Hwee, G. Lamptey, and C. Nunoo, “Long-term benefits of microsurfacing applications in Indiana-methodology and case study,” in Proceedings of the 85th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, USA, 2006.
[3]
R. Campbell, “Asphalt in pavement maintenance,” in The Asphalt Handbook, B. Boyer, Ed., pp. 569–616, Asphalt Institute, College Park, Md, US, 2007.
[4]
International Slurry Surfacing Association (ISSA), Recommended Performance Guidelines for Micro-Surfacing, Annapolis, Md, USA, 2010.
[5]
D. N. Geoffroy, Cost-effective Preventative Maintenance. National Cooperative Highway Research Program Synthesis of Highway Practice 223, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, DC, USA, 1996.
[6]
C. M. Pederson, W. J. Schuller, and C. D. Hixon, “Microsurfacing with natural latex-modified asphalt emulsion: a field evaluation,” Transportation Research Record, no. 1171, pp. 108–112, 1988.
[7]
G. Allan, “History of slurry and the international slurry surfacing association,” in Proceedings of the International Slurry Surfacing Association’s 5th World Congress, Berlin, Germany, March 2002.
[8]
C. Queiroz, R. Haas, and Y. Cai, “National economic development and prosperity related to paved road infrastructure,” Transportation Research Record, vol. 1455, pp. 147–152, 1994.
[9]
I. M. Syed, T. J. Freeman, R. E. Smith, et al., “Effectiveness of highway maintenance treatments used in Texas,” in Proceedings of the Symposium on Flexible Pavement Rehabilitation and Maintenance, pp. 136–150, ASTM STP 1349, 1999.
[10]
Z. Li and S. Madanu, “Highway project level life-cycle benefit/cost analysis under certainty, risk, and uncertainty: methodology with case study,” Journal of Transportation Engineering, vol. 135, no. 8, pp. 516–526, 2009.
[11]
C. Y. Chu and P. Durango-Cohen, “Incorporating maintenance effectiveness in the estimation of dynamic infrastructure performance models,” Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 174–188, 2008.
[12]
S. Labi and K. Sinha, “Measures of short-term effectiveness of highway pavement maintenance,” Journal of Transportation Engineering, vol. 129, no. 6, pp. 673–683, 2003.
[13]
S. Labi and K. Sinha, “Life-cycle evaluation of flexible pavement preventive maintenance,” Journal of Transportation Engineering, vol. 131, no. 10, pp. 744–751, 2005.
[14]
R. Pasupathy, S. Labi, and K. Sinha, “Optimal reconstruction periods for stochastically deteriorating infrastructures,” Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, vol. 22, no. 6, pp. 389–399, 2007.
[15]
R. G. Hicks, K. Dunn, and J. Moulthrop, “Framework for selecting effective preventive maintenance treatments for flexible pavements,” Transportation Research Record, no. 1597, pp. 1–10, 1997.
[16]
A. Chassiakos, C. Panagolia, and D. Theodorakopoulos, “Development of decision-support system for managing highway safety,” Journal of Transportation Engineering, vol. 131, no. 5, pp. 364–373, 2005.
[17]
S. Hesp, A. Soleimani, S. Subramani et al., “Asphalt pavement cracking: analysis of extraordinary life cycle variability in eastern and northeastern Ontario,” International Journal of Pavement Engineering, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 209–227, 2009.
[18]
A. Chan, G. Keoleian, and E. Gabler, “Evaluation of life-cycle cost analysis practices used by the Michigan department of transportation,” Journal of Transportation Engineering, vol. 134, no. 6, pp. 236–245, 2008.
[19]
K. Takamura, K. P. Loka, and R. Wittlinger, “Microsurfacing for preventive maintenance: eco-efficient strategy,” in Proceedings of the International Slurry Seal Association Annual Meeting, Maui, Hawaii, USA, 2001.
[20]
L. Galehouse, J. S. Moulthrop, and R. G. Hicks, “Principles of pavement preservation: definitions, benefits, issues, and barriers,” TR News, pp. 4–15, 2003.
[21]
T. J. Kazmierowski and A. Bradbury, “Microsurfacing: solution for deteriorated freeway surfaces,” Transportation Research Record, no. 1473, pp. 120–130, 1995.
[22]
S. Labi, M. I. Mahmodi, C. Fang, and C. Nunoo, “Cost-effectiveness of microsurfacing and thin hot-mix asphalt overlays: comparative analysis,” in Proceedings of the 86th Annual Meeting of the Transporation Reseach Board, Washington, DC, USA, 2007.
[23]
D. Watson and D. Jared, “Georgia department of Transportation's experience with microsurfacing,” Transportation Research Record, no. 1616, pp. 42–46, 1998.
[24]
T. J. Wood and G. J. Geib, “State wide microsurfacing project,” Tech. Rep. MN/RC-2001-11, Office of Materials and Road Research, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Saint Paul, Minn, USA, 1999.
[25]
D. G. Peshkin, T. E. Hoerner, K. A. Zimmerman, et al., “Optimal timing of pavement maintenance treatment applications,” NCHRP Report 523, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, USA, 2004.
[26]
International Slurry Surfacing Association (ISSAa), “Micro-surfacing: pavement resurfacing,” Annapolis, Md, USA, http://www.pavementpreservation.org/toolbox/guidelines.html.
[27]
C. D. Hixon and D. A. Ooten, “Nine years of microsurfacing in Oklahoma,” Transportation Research Record, no. 1392, pp. 13–19, 1993.
[28]
W. Temple, S. Shah, H. Paul, and C. Abadie, “Performance of Louisiana's chip seal and microsurfacing program, 2002,” Transportation Research Record, no. 1795, pp. 3–16, 2002.
[29]
H. Raza, “State of the practice: design, construction, and performance of microsurfacing,” Tech. Rep. FHWA-SA-94-051, Federal Highway Administration, DOT, Washington, DC, USA, 1994.
[30]
A. Bae and M. Stoffels, “Economic effects of microsurfacing on thermally-cracked pavements,” KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 177–185, 2007.
[31]
B. Marquis, “The use of micro-surfacing for pavement preservation,,” Tech. Rep. 02-3, Transportation Research Division, Maine Department of Transportation, 2004.
[32]
H. Anderson, “Slurry seal vs. microsurfacing,” in Proceedings of the 34th Annual Utah Asphalt Conference, South Towne Exposition Center, Sandy, Utah, USA, April 2009, http://www.pavementpreservation.org/toolbox/guidelines.html.
[33]
T. Freeman, D. Pinchett, R. Haobo, and C. Spiegelman, Analysis and Treatment Recommendations from the Supplemental Maintenance Effectiveness Research Program (SMERP), Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, Tex, USA, 2002.
[34]
T. Erwin and S. L. Tighe, “Safety effect of preventive maintenance: a case study of microsurfacing,” Transportation Research Record, no. 2044, pp. 79–85, 2008.
[35]
J. S. Moulthrop, L. Day, and W. R. Ballou, “Initial improvement in ride quality of jointed, plain concrete pavement with microsurfacing: case study,” Transportation Research Record, no. 1545, pp. 3–10, 1996.
[36]
T. J. Kazmierowski, A. Bradbury, J. Hajek, and G. Jones, “Effectiveness of high-performance thin surfacings in a wet-freeze environment,” Transportation Research Record, no. 1392, pp. 3–12, 1993.
[37]
J. Van Kirk, “Long lasting slurry pavements,” in Proceedings of the International Slurry Seal Association Conference, Amelia Island, Fla, USA, 2000.
[38]
D. H. Chen, D. F. Lin, and H. L. Luo, “Effectiveness of preventative maintenance treatments using fourteen SPS-3 sites in texas,” Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 136–143, 2003.
[39]
A. S. Rajagopal and K. P. George, “Pavement maintenance effectiveness,” Transportation Research Record, vol. 1276, pp. 62–68, 1990.
[40]
R. G. Hicks, S. B. Seeds, and D. G. Peshkin, Selecting a Preventative Maintenance Treatment for Flexible Pavements, Foundation for Pavement Preservation, Washington, DC, USA, 2000.
[41]
International Slurry Surfacing Association (ISSAb), “High performance slurry systems,” Annapolis, Md, USA, http://www.pavementpreservation.org/toolbox/guidelines.html.
[42]
G. Reincke, W. R. Ballou, S. L. Engber, and T. M. O'Connell, “Studies of polymer modified microsurfacing materials in highway maintenance,” in Proceedings of the ISSA, pp. 45–83, International Slurry Surfacing Association, February 1989.
[43]
K. Ducasse, T. Distin, and L. Osborne, “The use of microsurfacing as a cost effective remedial action for surface rutting,” in Proceedings of the 8th Conference on Asphalt Pavements for Southern Africa, Sun City, South Africa, September 2004.
[44]
S. Labi, G. Lamptey, and S. H. Kong, “Effectiveness of microsurfacing treatments,” Journal of Transportation Engineering, vol. 133, no. 5, pp. 298–307, 2007.
[45]
G. Holleran, ABC’s of Slurry Surfacing, Asphalt Contractor Magazine, 2001.
[46]
P. Schilling, “Success with bituminous emulsions requires a well balanced chemistry of emulsions, bitumen and aggregate,” in Proceedings of the International Slurry Surfacing Association Conference, Berlin, Germany, 2002.
[47]
R. E. Smith and C. K. Beatty, “Microsurfacing usage guidelines,” Transportation Research Record, no. 1680, pp. 13–17, 1999.
[48]
International Slurry Surfacing Association (ISSAc), “Micro-surfacing: quality control,” Annapolis, Md, USA, http://www.pavementpreservation.org/toolbox/guidelines.html.
[49]
S. Shatnawi, Ed., Maintenance Technical Advisory Guide Volume I Flexible Pavement Preservation, Caltrans Division of Maintenance, Sacramento, Calif, USA, 2nd edition, 2008.
[50]
P. Kumar and A. Gupta, “Case Studies on Failure of Bituminous Pavements,” in Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Pavement Preservation, pp. 505–518, University of California, Berkeley Institute of Transportation Studies, Technology Transfer Program, Berkeley, Calif, USA, 2010.
[51]
A. I. Al-Mansour, K. C. Sinha, and T. Kuczek, “Effects of routine maintenance on flexible pavement condition,” Journal of Transportation Engineering, vol. 120, no. 1, pp. 65–73, 1994.
[52]
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and National Center for Pavement Preservation (NCPP), “Slurry/Micro-Surface Mix Design Procedure,” Minutes from Phase 1 Meeting, San Diego, Calif, USA, 2004, http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CDgQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dot.ca.gov%2Fnewtech%2Fmaintenance%2Fslurry_micro-surface%2Fmembers-only%2Fdocs%2FMinutes_SD_2-25-04-r3.doc&ei=HhyQT63fIIGC2AXDntzsBA&usg=AFQjCNG1nU0Gcf4GCK_4x4UCD3ZaLIjU3g.
[53]
S. F. Shober, G. C. Whited, and K. W. McMullen, “Wisconsin department of transportation's asphaltic pavement warranties,” Transportation Research Record, no. 1543, pp. 113–119, 1996.
[54]
K. Sinha and S. Labi, Transportation Decision Making: Principles of Project Evaluation and Programming, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, USA, 2007.
[55]
G. Holleran and J. R. Reed, Super Microsurfacings, “World of Asphalt” AAPA, Sydney, Australia, 2000.
