Klaruw develops wet shot blasting for roads

Klaruw has developed a prototype machine for wet application shot blasting, designed to improve the macro- and micro-texture of road surfaces.

The computer-controlled Macrotex (MAT) shot-blasting plant offers advantages in process control, treatment flexibility and rate of coverage over conventional shot-blasting machines, and is set to be trialled on UK roads.

The use of wet steel shot allows retexturing to be carried out in wet weather, unlike traditional dry shot-blasting methods.

The MAT process has been developed to resurface most natural aggregates; the texture depth that allows surface water to escape to prevent aqua-planing.

The process also improves micro-texture; the surface friction which provides wet weather skid resistance.

Klaruw's MAT prototype machine arrived in the UK from The Netherlands for evaluation in two separate night time trials by Area 10 Managing Agent Contractor, A-one+, and North Wales Trunk Road Agency (NWRTA).

The MAT shot-blasting process has also been proven effective for removing bitumen residues left on newly laid porous asphalt to prevent bitu-planing, and for cleaning the cementitious film off new concrete.

Klaruw says that the MAT machine is set to provide a cost effective and highly sustainable solution for addressing aqua-planing and wet skid issues.

Reworking existing surfaces extends service life of structurally sound roads before more costly, disruptive overlay or inlay is needed.

The MAT machine shot blasts and cleans the road surface as one integral unit in one pass, simplifying traffic management and leaving treated sections ready for use immediately.

The technique requires no after-treatment or curing time, and leaves no residual deposits.

MAT retexturing applies no new material to the road, produces minimal waste, and recycles water and shot used in the process, reducing reliance on virgin material and landfill.

This also leaves a lower carbon footprint than alternative methods of restoring macro-texture.

MAT enables local authorities to sustainably maintain the safety of road surfaces and reduce their carbon footprint in line with the Climate Change Act 2008 and in reporting to National Indicator 185 (NI 185) Percentage CO2 reduction from LA operations.

Klaruw is to offer the MAT process alongside its K190 process through direct contracting by its UK subsidiaries, Klaruw RMS and Briser Road Safety.

K190 provides controlled mechanical retexturing to restore surface micro-texture and improve wet weather skid resistance to above investigatory levels.

The MAT unit can treat widths ranging from 24cm to 190cm.

Working speed is variable ranging from 3m per minute for heavy duty, deep retexturing, and up to 100m per minute for light cleaning.

Depending on pavement type and condition and application requirements, the machine will treat around 1,300 to 3,000m2 of pavement per hour.

Klaruw believes that the launch of MAT is well timed as UK road authorities face cuts in maintenance budgets while road safety performance targets for 2020 remain tough.

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