Kirby-Smith Machinery adds value by teaming with customers and industry experts
We often discuss new technologies related to paving and road building in this column; however, for this issue, I will share success stories involving a not-so-cutting-edge concept that has new life through improved, precise delivery of materials, better methodology and the partnering spirit of Kirby-Smith Machinery. While it is a hot topic now, full-depth reclamation is not a new concept. In actuality, the foamed bitumen (bit) process used to achieve it has been practicable for more than 20 years. Why is this technology just now gaining traction in Texas? Wirtgen has tweaked the methodology to get the exact amount of material in place on the road bed for a successful paving surface.
The two main tools of this method are the Wirtgen WLM 30 laboratory mixer and the Streumaster SW-16 spreader. The lab machine can duplicate the conditions of the material in Wirtgen recycler’s mixing drum, enabling an exact mix design for the material to be reclaimed. The Streumaster spreader distributes a precise amount of cement in front of the recycler, which is mixed in the drum with oil, water, and the existing road bed material.
Demonstrated results
Our first success story on foamed bit took place last summer with Big Creek Construction. The job called for “in situ” reclamation of a two-lane, farm-to-market road using foamed bit and then an overlay of two-inch hot mix asphalt. Big Creek purchased a Wirtgen W250 recycler, Streumaster SW 16 spreader, and rented a Hamm H16 pad foot compactor for the initial compaction.
We were fortunate to have the expertise of Wirtgen’s Mark Stahl for this project. Kirby-Smith Machinery and Big Creek personnel trained jointly with Mark, and we were involved from the pre-construction meeting to the completion of the project. The results were outstanding, with all gradations and densities exceeding expectations. The foamed bit portion, eight miles of two lanes, was completed in 13 days, and the road was never closed to traffic. The job has become a study for TxDOT, and their interest in the foamed bit process has expanded.
To build upon that success, we are working on three more projects. One is in the Texas Panhandle with Gilvin-Terrill, Ltd., and two more in East Texas with R.K. Hall and Madden Contracting. For the East Texas projects, Kirby-Smith Machinery held a conference with participating contractors and Stahl. The conference included a Q&A session as well as a presentation for a TxDOT team. Since then, we have generated a detailed activity calendar for each company involved in the project.
The rehabilitation-in-place process is the best option for owners and taxpayers. The foamed bit process uses all the existing material in the road without costly excavation and trucking, road closures, and it delivers a superior product quickly. With road rehabilitation, time truly is money.
