Self healing asphalt roads

Self healing technology creates a revolution in material science. It change the properties, manufacturing process and usage of material. Many countries are trying to use these technology in construction. Like others,  Netherlands scientists are also investigating and triedto develop self healing properties in asphalt and concrete.
Many roads are laid with asphalt in present time. The asphalt is porous which enables the road to reduce noise pollution by absorbing noise but it lead to creation of potholes. The potholes are created mainly in monsoon in tropical area and due to frost action in cold countries. These potholes led to wear and tear of machines, tyres, increase fuel consumption and most important unhappy journey.

Achievements

Materials scientist Erik Schlangen, chair of Experimental MicroMechanics at Delft University of Technology created a self healing asphalt road. He mixed steel fibres in asphalt to increase conductive of road. When a induction machine machine passes over it steel fibres absorb heat and allow asphalt to soften. Then asphalt fill the small cracks. Since these asphalt isn't completely self healing as it require induction machine but still it easier the repairing process.
12 Self healing asphalt roads are constructed and undergoing testing in Netherlands.  One of them are open for traffic since 2010. All roads are in good conditions.

Self healing roads are 25% expensive than traditional roads but it also doubles the life of roads. These self healing roads are definitely future of roads.

You may also like:

• Beams, Loads and its type
• Shear force and Bending moment diagram
• Drip Curing Method- save upto 80% water