Engineering Properties of Prime Coats Applied to a Granular Base
By: Gouri Mohan, Kenneth H. Stokoell, and Mustafa B. Erten This study measured the strength and permeability of six prime coats: MC-30, AEP, EC-30, CSS-1H, SS-1H, and Terra Prime. It also evaluated the effects of two application methods: mixing the prime coats into, and spraying them onto, the base course of crushed limestone. Additionally, it tested the penetration of the prime coats into reference sand. This study found that the best-performing prime coat is Terra Prime, followed by MC-30. This study concluded the following: • The dry strength of Terra Prime is five times greater than that of the other prime coats. Additionally, the wet strength of Terra Prime is not significantly lower than its dry strength, whereas the wet strength of the other prime coats is significantly lower than their dry strength. • Mixing the prime coat into, rather than spraying it onto, the base course decreased the permeability of water. MC-30 and Terra Prime exhibited the lowest permeability rates. • EC-30 achieved the greatest penetration into the reference sand, followed by MC-30 and Terra Prime. CSS-1H and SS-1H achieved significantly less penetration, instead forming a sticky surface coat. • Terra Prime performed the best overall, followed by MC-30....
Read MoreTerra Pave Featured in the Austin Business Journal
By Sandra Zaragoza, Austin Business Journal Photo: Austin Business Journal A University of Texas-backed startup has developed a more environment-friendly alternative to a common paving material, and it has raised $1.65 million from investors to help it crack the multibillion-dollar road construction industry. Terra Pave International Inc.—founded by Andres Jackson—is the company behind Terra Prime, the primary use of which bonds the loose bottom layer of road material before asphalt is laid. The founders are touting it to replace MC-30, a type of cutback asphalt prepared by mixing asphalt cement with a petroleum-based solvent. MC-30’s use has raised environmental concerns among engineers—including danger from breathing its fumes, water pollution, and fire—that has prompted some states to ban it and others, including Texas, to limit its use… View full article...
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