WPE-DK Phalt Semi-Rigid Pavement

The demands on traffic surfaces are constantly increasing: higher traffic loads, more challenging climatic conditions, and economic efficiency are key criteria when selecting the appropriate pavement system. Especially for heavily loaded traffic areas such as industrial sites, airports, or container terminals, semi-rigid pavement layers are increasingly being used. This article explains the semi-rigid pavement system and provides a comparison with conventional asphalt and concrete layers.

 

System Description: Semi-Rigid Pavement Layer

The semi-rigid pavement layer combines the advantages of asphalt and WPE-DK UHPC concrete. It consists of an open-graded asphalt base layer (often produced as a porous asphalt concrete) that is subsequently infiltrated with a high-strength cementitious grout. This results in highly durable surfaces that combine the flexibility of asphalt with the compressive strength of concrete.

Structure:

• Base layer: Open-graded asphalt with a void content of about 20–30%.
• Infiltration: High-strength WPE-DK UHPC grout that completely fills the voids.
• Post-treatment: Curing of the injected grout, potentially with a surface sealant.

 Standard asphalt layer                    Semi-rigid UHPC Phalt layer

         Standard surface of a semi-rigid UHPC Phalt

 

Advantages of the Semi-Rigid Pavement Layer

• High compressive and flexural strength: Ideal for surfaces subject to point loads (e.g., container terminals).
• Permanent impermeability: Effectively prevents the penetration of water and chemicals.
• Economic efficiency: Despite higher initial costs, the low maintenance requirements make it cost-effective over the entire lifecycle.
• Construction flexibility: Faster traffic release due to relatively short grout curing times.

The semi-rigid pavement layer combines key advantages of both asphalt and concrete, making it an excellent solution for highly stressed surfaces with specific requirements. In direct comparison, it impresses with its high load-bearing capacity, long service life, and low maintenance costs. Where conventional asphalt layers reach their limits and concrete layers are disadvantaged by complex construction methods, the semi-rigid system represents an efficient and modern alternative. 

 

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