QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS
RELATING TO STRATEZYME
1. Is
the performance of STRATEZYME affected when mixed with any other organic
material, e.g., CaO or CaCO3?
STRATEZYME works
well with all organic soils. STRATEZYME will increase the bonding of
the fines (-200 mesh) and allow greater moisture penetration to facilitate
compaction.
STRATEZYME has
been successfully used in roads containing limestone (CaO). Calcite
(CaO3), a fine grain limestone or soft earthy clay, also reacts positively
with STRATEZYME. However, the use of clays should be minimized in road
building, usually less than 30% (-200 mesh).
2. Over time will STRATEZYME increase its bonding strength?
STRATEZYME treated
soils (for roads and ponds) achieve their greatest strength at the time
of compaction and immediate subsequent curing (72 hours curing time).
Bonding of the soil particles takes place in the presence of moisture
and compactive force. This condition will last as long as the material
resists external forces. Heavy wheel loads, water, freeze-thaw cycles
ultimately have their effect on all roads. STRATEZYME treated roads
will resist these forces due to the bonded, high density of the road
material. The STRATEZYME treated road will resist the detrimental effects
of erosion and mechanical forces.
3.
How about tensile strength- Will the road come out with cracks or become
fragile?
Cracking occurs
as a result of 2 factors. (1) If the road material contains a high percent
of expansive clays having a high shrink-swell factor, after the road
is completed and dries out some cracking will appear. This condition
reduces the effectiveness of the road stability. However, these roads
still perform very well with a slightly reduced service life. (2) A
soft sub-base (expansive clays) may not support the treated base under
heavy wheel loads. The bearing capacity of the road is insufficient.
This can be corrected by increasing the thickness of the road base.
When the clay fines
(-200 mesh) exceed 25% or are highly expansive, some surface cracking
may occur. Generally, the cracks are superficial, often filling in with
road particles during normal traffic use. Generally this condition is
referred to as “Alligator Cracking” and does not significantly
affect the stability of the road base.
Rain or other moisture
will moderately swell the clay fines and the cracks will close. If the
clay material is highly expansive, then the percentage of these fines
should be kept low to reduce the amount of cracking. Eaglefinger Enterprises’
proprietary additives are added to the specific clays to change the
shrink/swell characteristics and greatly reduce cracking.
Reflective cracks
should not migrate upward through the asphalt unless the clay fines
are in the upper range and site conditions see radical sub-surface ground
moisture variations. Proper drainage will reduce ground moisture and
keep cracking to a minimum.
4.
After compaction, what is the ratio of expansion?
After compaction,
the expansion-contraction ratio will be dependent upon the soil type
(percentage of expansive clays) as well as the gradation range (distribution
of particle sizes). Well-graded soils (ranging from –200 mesh
to 1 inch) are ideal for road building. The -200 mesh fines should be
approximately 20%. If the frost level extends below the level of the
road base, some heaving may occur. However, in the spring, the road
should settle back to its original elevation without severe damage.
Proper road construction including shoulder drainage will minimize the
effects of frost. Good engineering practices should be observed.
5.
Will extreme weather (hot or cold) affect the road stability?
Hot weather will
not affect a STRATEZYME treated road. Other than the effects mentioned
in question (4),
Cold weather will
not affect a STRATEZYME treated road.
6.
When the road material contains more than 20%-30% clay, will the road
surface become too slippery and lose traction?
Roads constructed
with material containing a high level of clay will exhibit slippery
surfaces when wet. It is necessary to use as much aggregate as possible
not only to increase the overall strength of the road, but also to increase
traction in wet conditions.
In many applications
a surface treatment is applied as part of the overall design. This provides
a wearing surface with traction, moisture protection and greater overall
strength. Cost and availability of material are the primary factors
affecting the type of surface treatment, if any.
STRATEZYME works
well with soils that have clay content passing through a 200-mesh screen
between 18%-30%. This range of fines has been indicated as an acceptable
range for road building material.
Most counties that
use STRATEZYME experience a 25%-50% reduction in road maintenance on
roads that have been treated with STRATEZYME. In the state of Utah,
many STRATEZYME treated roads have been is use for as long as 14 years
with no significant maintenance.
7. How long will the road last when STRATEZYME is applied?
STRATEZYME treated
roads have been is use for over 14 years. The longevity of the road
is a function of several factors:
· Climatic
conditions such as temperature ranges and rainfall.
· Type soils
used in construction.
· Road design
– crowning, drainage and other engineered parameters.
· Type of
vehicular traffic, speed and degree of usage.
· Wearing
surface applied (if any).
· General
maintenance – frequency and quality.
We have seen STRATEZYME
treated roads retain their integrity over longer periods than previously
experienced by road departments. For example, a road in Idaho, USA,
has been in continual use for over 12 years with very little maintenance.
Other geographic areas have reported substantial reductions in road
maintenance by over 50%. STRATEZYME treated road bases last longer.
8. Is compaction required when using STRATEZYME?
STRATEZYME is used
when moisture is applied to soil for compaction. Stability or stabilization
occurs when soil particles are in close contact. Even when used in pond
applications, the downward force of the water assists in compaction.
Applying STRATEZYME
to soil without compaction will not affect a change in erosion. The
soil’s ability to resist erosion is a function of the mineral
makeup of the soil and compaction (or density).
9.
Will STRATEZYME affect plant life if there is any contact?
STRATEZYME is not
harmful to plant life in a full range of applications, i.e. road building,
pond applications, etc.
© 2005 STRATEZYME
inc., all rights reserved
