Remixing Required

As experienced by DeSilva Gates and Holmes & Murphy, reblending material with the paver stops segregation with our without the aid of a material transfer device. More importantly, the paver can be used on the critical base course lifts, reblending the coarse aggregate to deliver a stronger road. This is not the case with some material transfer vehicles, which are too heavy to be used on the base.

If segregation occurs at the base lift, then the service life of the road suffers. "This is why states like Illinois, which have a spec requiring continuous paving on the final lifts, will spec the Remix paver on the base lifts," explains Bill Rieken, paver application specialist for Terex Roadbuilding. "It can eliminate any segregation of the larger base aggregates used for durability."

As specifications tighten, hauling distances increase and coarse aggregate mix designs with the potential to segregate are specified, material reblending becomes more of a necessity. When following proper paving techniques aren't enough to meet spec densities, then specialized equipment like the Remix paver can help a paving contractor. "Although we continue to use our conventional pavers on many applications, we will definitely use the Remix paver when we encounter another job with tough performance-based specs like the ones at BNI," says Holmes.

Information provided by Mark Hunt, general manager, asphalt mobile equipment for Terex Roadbuilding. Mark has 17 years of asphalt industry experience.