INDEPENDENT LAB TESTING
Independent lab tests on a range of insitu materials undertaken by Bob Andrews ARRB, consistently identified significantly denser material with little or no voids when treated with Polycom when compared to untreated material. This material when subjected to moisture and load under drip test failed after three hours. Compaction density curve identifying improvements.
INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENTS SUPPORTING CLAIMS
The Australian Road Research Board (ARRB), Mr. Bob Andrews and Mr. Kieran Sharp have undertaken independent testing and assessments of the use of Polymer Stabilizers. They concluded that based upon Life Cycle Cost (LCC) assessments on unbound pavements “the adoption of polymer liquid binder is significantly cheaper than all other options” of conventional patrol grading, re-sheeting, cement or lime stabilization.
This statement confirmed on field trials undertaken in the harsh remote Tanami Floodway in remote North Western Australia where observations after two years revealed, “The variation in running surface stability between the polymer (Polycom) and cement or calcium chlorides on treated sections is marginal at best, however, the cost of application, in terms of transport and logistics, stabilization equipment requirements and most importantly in terms of flexibility in application is significant. Polymer stabilization requires no special equipment and no change in general work practice.” Going on to conclude, “The development of alternate maintenance intervention strategies requires adoption by local and federal government authorities. If economic evaluations are adopted polymer stabilization has the potential to deliver triple-bottom-line attributes across the industry”. Australia now has considerable case studies and Shires like alpine Shire supporting these claims.
The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) have undertaken independent studies supporting these claims stating that “incorporating (Polycom) will reduce greenhouse gas emissions close to 90%, water consumption by 80%, and reduce annual maintenance costs by 70%”.
University of SA in conjunction with Golders and Associates undertook independent testing on the in permeability improvements of Polycom Stabilization Aid on Clay Liners. They concluded Polycom consistently outperformed the untreated clay samples with results supporting the significant reduction of clay liner thickness by as much as 32% subject to further field trials.
Mark Allingham of Alpine Shire Council in Alpine Victoria has history adopting the use of Polycom noting in a recent report that “Alpine Shire has managed to increase pavement life in some cases by 300% (as measured in decreases in maintenance hours) and increased road standards by adopting Polycom Stabilisation Aid to its maintenance operations.”
