The road to new technology

Soil-Tech from Kaveri Ultra Polymers P Limited uses polymers for road stabilization. Polymer technology is used in a variety of applications, ranging from films, fibers, paints, adhesives, etc. Cutting edge catalysation, (metallocenes), allowing superior control over chain structures and hence polymer properties, have led to the formulation of Soil-Tech polymers for use in road stabilization and dust control.

Polymeric materials are characterized by long chains of repeated molecule units known as "mers". These long chains intertwine to form the bulk of the polymers. The nature by which the chains intertwine determine the polymers' macroscopic properties and binding strength. Typically, polymer chain orientations are random and give the polymers an amorphous structure. Amorphous polymers have good impact strength and toughness. In order to delay the binding process in Soil-Tech polymers, we use surfactants to separate the micron polymer particles. Soil-Tech polymers will start binding when exposed to air and the surfactant aided by an alcohol mix, starts to evaporate. Once mixed into the road's base/sub-base layer, mechanical compaction ensures that the chains of Soil-Tech polymers are firmly inter-locked with the soil particles.

Polymers do not mix with water. However, with the other polymer additives, the Soil-Tech polymer will mix with water. This mix can be sprayed over the soil particles at a prescribed ratio after tests have been done to determine the quality of the soil that will be used and the quantity of traffic the road will be subject to. The water will also help bring the soil to OMC (Optimum Moisture Content) for maximum compaction.

As the surfactant evaporates, traffic loading on the stabilized road, further compacts the polymers. The cavities left by the surfactant evaporation, is filled by the Soil-Tech polymer, resulting in a denser base/sub-base layer.

A Soil-Tech stabilized layer can replace some or all of the traditional sub-base layers. The sub-base layers that could be replaced, depends on the design of the road and the GSB (Granular sub-base), WMM (Wet mix Macadam) and DBM (Dense Bituminous Macadam) that will be used for the construction of the road.

The road to easy construction

For the Soil-Tech technology, the following equipments are required:

• Motor Grader.
• Tractor with cultivator.
• Water Tanker with min. carrying capacity of 4000 litres with attached sprinkler.
• Vibratory soil compactor 11 ton capacity.
• Material handling equipment like pick & carry crane or Backhoe loader with slings or Fork Lift.

The process of Construction is a step by step one. First, the soil test report is verified and the road design is finalized. Then, the road to be stabilized is prepared by removing vegetation and ripping surface or spreading imported soil. At the next stage, soil fix is mixed with water in a tanker and sprayed. Soil-Tech is then mixed with a motor grader. The layer is then compacted. After this process, profiling of the layer and final compaction is carried out. The stabilized road is sealed 30 days after the road has been exposed to sunlight. The seal can be Asphalt / Inter-locking pavers / R.C.C.

The road to excellence

Soil-Tech is a new generation road stabilizer with a host of advantages:

• Forms stabilizing base and sub base layers for roads, mine haul roads, parking lots, hard stands, container depots and airstrips
• Widely used in Different and varied climatic and Soil conditions.
• Much more cost effective than conventional road stabilization because of faster easier building and less maintenance
• Maintenance drastically reduced
• Increases in strength over 12 months instead of deteriorating
• Product becomes stronger from mechanical compaction, making it perfect for heavy traffic applications
• Because polymers are flexible, the road surface has a certain amount of flex and is not brittle or prone to breakage
• Guaranteed to exceed the AASHTO structural load bearing axle capacity