The Densiphalt Solution
Densiphalt was obviously the best solution for Arriva delivering a very fast programme, with minimal disruption, fuel resistant material, jointless surface and 24 hour curing, delivering a high performance pavement specification that will not rut or deform when subjected to the continuous movements fo the buses and lorries.

MD Prosser Associates were the Engineers working on the Arriva Thurmaston project and approached CIP regarding the Densiphalt system further to receiving some Densiphalt literature.

The area in concern was 5,500sqm of deteriorated concrete, with some areas that were bad due to sub-base failure that they needed to be dug out and re-constructed. For the Densiphalt overlay areas CIP proposed to plane off to tie in with existing levels, creak and seat the existing concrete slab to destress, regulate as required to take out any undulations and then to overlay with the Densiphalt system.

The re-construct areas, were cira 900sqm over 6 patches, were dug out down to the sub base, recompacted and installed with a build up of Heavy Duty Macadam basecourse material with Densiphalt on top.

The Densiphalt works at Thurmaston had to be done in 4 phases to enable continuous client operations. The works were effected in 1 continuous visit to site and altogether the programme, from start to finish was three weeks. One important issue to consider when overlaying concrete is reflective cracking. Densiphalt is a semi flexible material but the dominate character in Densiphalt is the microsilica cementitious grout. The performance characteristics of Densiphalt are that of a higher specification of concrete. Therefore if we overlay Densiphalt directly onto concrete without de-stressing the slab, reflective cracking may occur. To minimise the occurrence of any reflective cracking, the process of cracking and seating is carried out which de-stresses the existing concrete surface transforming a rigid structure into a semi flexible base for the Densiphalt overlay.

The programme advantages of the Densiphalt system for this particular project were significant. This was an operating depot and the Densiphalt System enabled the client to continue depot operations with minimal disruption.

The Densiphalt is performing extremely well to date and the client is very happy.

|