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Volcanic ash reduces post-eruption road and runway surface safety

Volcanic ash settling on paved surfaces poses a major safety hazard.

A study of skid resistance on road asphalt and airfield concrete surfaces helps inform recommendations for effective cleaning and road safety maintenance.

Using the British pendulum test method in laboratory conditions, the New Zealand study considers various concrete surfaces covered by volcanic ash sourced from around the country.

The ash variations include type, depth, wetness, particle size and soluble components, and focus on stone mastic asphalt (SMA), porous asphalt, line-painted road surfaces, and a roller screed concrete mix used for airfields.

The study shows that that SMA surfaces covered by thin ash deposits (1mm) have lower skid resistance than on wet, uncontaminated surfaces.

Skid resistance for thicker deposits (3mm to 5mm) are similar to those for thin layers.

While there are similarities between road asphalt and airfield concrete, there is little difference in the skid resistance between bare airfield surfaces and those covered by a thin layer of ash.

Attachments

Impact of Volcanic Ash on Road and Airfield Surface Skid Resistance. Cover
Impact of Volcanic Ash on Road and Airfield Surface Skid Resistance.

Sustainability (MPDI)

Publication Date: 06/07/2017