State-of-the-art techniques in crack detection and utilizing innovative materials for the repair and maintenance of roads

Abstract

This work is looking into the issue of repairing and maintaining the roads using innovative materials in the Arctic region. We have conducted preliminary studies at UiT The Arctic University of Norway and found a suitable material that has potential to be applied on roads cracks or even coat the entire road. This is an ongoing work and has two main sections: 1) To investigate the suitable techniques that will allow identifying the extent of cracks and failures in the roads, and 2) Investigates the suitability of a variety of materials for their application on roads repairs and coating. In first section, we will examine the extent of cracks and failures in the roads. It is well known that freezing and thawing cycle is one of the major reason of the development of cracks in the roads. Though the reasons of damage are well investigated, the extent of damage varies on many other factors, such as local geology, road age, etc. In this work, we will utilise the state of the art technologies such as Infrared Imaging, Seismic Refraction, LIDAR, and GPR to determine the extent of cracks and failures in the roads. Obtained information from here will be utilised to devise the repair and coating strategies. In second section, we will investigate materials that have appropriate properties. These properties should hold in warmer and colder environments as observed in Arctic. The materials will be tested for their mechanical properties and environmental impact in the labs at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. Further, in this work, we will devise the procedures for repairs. In addition, this work will also bring forward materials that may be coated on the entire surface of the road. The entire coating will bring certain advantages, such as elimination or significant reduction in PM-10 particles and year around ice free surface. Cataloguing tyres interaction with the coated materials and cost-benefit analysis will also be included.