OA16244A - Method and composition for road construction and surfacing. - Google Patents

Description

METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND SURFACING

I. Background

A. Field [0001] This application daims priority to a provisional patent application, Serial No. 61/332,479, filed May 7, 2010, and Serial No. 61/379,570, filed September 2, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. This invention generally relates to methods and compositions for improving the strength and longevity of secondary roadways through environmentally sound practices.

B. Description of the Related Art [0002] The engineering and construction of secondary roads (hereafter, “gravel roads,” “earth roads,” or “unpaved roads”) has been perpetually plagued by two interrelated problems: the détérioration of the road due to water, and the loss of surface cohésion and road compaction due to traffic. The deleterious effects of water on roadways, in particular, are well documented in the prior art. In cold weather, moisture that pénétrâtes a road’s base layers freezes and rips cracks into the road substrate that seriously undermine the load bearing capacity and longevity of the roadway.

[0003] Additionally, because of capillary action, water also seeps into the road base from the sides and bottom of the road’s base or sub-base. Compared to sealed or “paved” roads, which require large machinery to pour concrète or to lay and smooth a bitumen-based surface, secondary unpaved roads are relatively easy and inexpensive to build.

[0004] For example, many secondary roads—of either an earth or gravel variety— utilize native soils, often in conjunction with gravel quarried from local resources, to create the road’s sub-base and base layers.

[0005] Defects in road surfaces are typically classified into two categories: surface détérioration and surface deformation. While surface détérioration is related mostly to the qualîty of the surfacing materials and the way they respond to weather or trafïïc stresses, surface deformations often hâve combined causes that include both stresses to the road surface itself and other factors such as sub-base and base capacity and stabîlity.

Surface détérioration is exemplified by “dust,” the resuit ofloss of fine binder material from road surfaces.

[0006] Surface deformations include ruts, corrugations, dépréssions, and potholes. Ruts are longitudinal dépréssions in the wheel paths caused by high moisture content, inadéquate strength in the subsurface soil or base, inadéquate surface course thickness, or heavy traffic loads. Corrugating or “washboarding” is a sériés of ridges and dépréssions across the road surface caused by lack of surface cohésion. Dépréssions are localized low areas one or more inches below the surrounding road surfaces that are caused by seulement, excessive moisture content, and/or improper drainage. Potholes are small dépréssions or voids in the road surface one or more inches deep which are caused by excessive moisture content, poor drainage, weak sub-base or base, poorly graded aggregate, or a combination of these factors.

[0007] As such, the problems typicalîy associated with secondary roads—both surface détérioration and deformation—are caused by: l) the harmful effects of water and high moisture content, including seulement and érosion, on the road surface and base, 2) the lack of surface cohésion and resulting loss of road compaction caused by dust, and 3) the heavy traffic loads exerted on roads with weak or inadéquate soil, sub-base, or base. Industry has provided for the addition of various chemical additives to impart water repellency on road materials, with varying degrees of success and environmental impact. However, water repellant chemicals are not binders, and load bearing capacity, stabilîty, and frost résistance are not improved by their application to the soil or road base. In many cases, dust can also be reduced on grave! roads by applying chemical additives (commonly known in the art as “dust suppressors” or “dust retardants”) which draw moisture from the air to improve fine aggregate cohésion. And “soil stabilizers,” which are chemicals designed to act as binders and coalesce forming bonds between the soil or aggregate partiales, hâve shown promise in greatly improving the load bearing and traffic capacity of the road. But existing soil stabilizers and dust retardants are difficult to apply and use in cold climates, tend to hâve long cure times, short lifecycles, and do not provide the requisite protection against water damage; particularly excessive moisture content resulting from capillary action.

[0008] Repairing damaged roadways by conventional methods can be extremely expensive, time consuming, and environmentally disruptive because the entire compacted grave! layer of the road must be replaced. Conventional binders are a liquid asphalt, which tums into a black heat-absorbing road surface. At installation a conventional chip sealed surface must be swept resulting in the loss of as much as 20% of the chips installed.

[0009] As a resuit, there is a need in the art for an improved method of building up roads to create strength and longevity, wherein road builders will be able improve the longevity of the roadway, impart increased load bearing and trafïic capacity, and reduce the time, costs, and environmental impact associated with conventional road repair projects.

IL Summary [0010] The présent stabilization technology offers advantages in a wide variety of road applications from unpaved roads that will remain un-surfaced to roads that will receive running surface treatments. Midwest’s construction System uses in-place soils in conjunction with Midwest’s “green” products to engîneer improved roadways by stabilizing the sub-base and providing a chip seal running surface - wîthout relyîng on any asphaltic products. The présent inventive components were formulated to be as gentle on the environment as they are effective on the roadway - at only a fraction of the cost. One advantage is the process éliminâtes the need to import costly base or aggregate materials to buîld a sub-base for subséquent paving or ship sealing. The inventive components produce lighter surfaces that do not absorb heat, are nonhazardous, non-flammable, non-corrosive, non toxîc, use natural products harvested on sustaînable basis, will not harm végétation or wildlîfe, and will not leach out of the surface so they are safe to use close to streams and bodies of water.

[0011] In one embodiment, a composition for road sealing includes an aqueous émulsion of acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer, water, and a resin-modified émulsion, wherein the resin-modified émulsion includes a mixture of pitch and rosin, an emulsifying agent, and water, wherein the composition is substantially free of asphalt.

[0012] In another embodiment, the composition includes soil and a binder.

[0013] In another embodiment, the composition includes synthetic fibers,

J0014] In another embodiment, the acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer are between about 5.0% and about 60.0% by weight, the water is between about 40.0% and about 94.0% by weight, and the resin émulsion between about 1.0% and about 55.0% by weight, wherein within the resin émulsion the pitch is between about 1.0% and about 95% by weight, the rosin is between about 1% to about 70%, the emulsifying agent is between about 0.1% to about 5.0% by weight, and the water is between about 10% to about 98% by weight.

[0015] In another embodiment, the composition further includes a tack coat.

[0016] In another embodiment, the composition further includes limestone chips.

[0017] In another embodiment, the tack coat includes resin-modified émulsion of pitch, rosin, an emulsifying agent, and water, and an aqueous émulsion of acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer.

[0018| ln another embodiment, the tack coat is an aqueous émulsion.

[0019] In another embodiment, the tack coat is an aqueous émulsion and a viscosity enhancer.

[0020] In another embodiment, the composition is substantially free of polycyclic organic matter.

[0021] In another embodiment, a method for road sealing includes mixing an aqueous émulsion and a resin-modified émulsion with associated native soil to form a road base, applying to the road base a tack coat of aqueous émulsion, adding rock chips to the tack coat, and rolling the tack coat, wherein the composition is substantially free of asphalt.

[0022] In another embodiment, the step of applying to the road base a tack coat of aqueous émulsion is applying to the road base a tack coat of about 25% to about 75% by weight resin-modified émulsion and about 25% to about 75% by weight of aqueous émulsion.

[0023] In another embodiment, the method includes adding a binder to the road base and adding synthetic fïbers to the road base.

[0024] In another embodiment, a composition for road sealing includes about 5% to about 95% polymer émulsion by volume, about 5% to about 95% pîtch/rosin émulsion by volume, and a tack coat, wherein the composition is substantially free of asphalt.

[0025] In another embodiment, the composition includes about 25% polymer émulsion by volume, about 75% pitch/rosîn émulsion by volume as a base, the tack coat comprising about 25% thickened polymer émulsion by volume and about 75% pîtch/rosin émulsion by volume, wherein no water is added to the tack coat, and a seal coat comprising about 25% thickened polymer émulsion by volume and about 75% pitch/rosin émulsion by volume, wherein the seal coat is diluted 2: l with water. [0026] In another embodiment, the composition further includes a rheology modifier. [0027] In another embodiment, the rheology modifier is chosen from the group comprising naturally occurring gums, polyacrylamide polymers, methylcellulose, silicas, and carbonates.

[0028] In another embodiment, the composition further includes a dryîng aid. [0029] In another embodiment, the drying aid îs chosen from the group comprising surfactants, linseed oil, walnut oil, corn oil, tong oil, poppy oil, perilla oil, cotton oil, and alcohols.

[0030] In another embodiment, the composition further includes a curing agent or accelerator.

[0031) In another embodiment, the curing agent or accelerator is chosen from the group comprising various binders/hardeners including, but not limited to, hydraulîc curing agent and non-hydraulic curing agent.

[0032] In another embodiment, a method for road sealing includes applying a tack coat directly on an associated asphalt road, wherein the tack coat is chosen from the group consisting of aqueous émulsion, resin-modified émulsion, mixture of aqueous émulsion and resin-modified émulsion, aqueous émulsion and viscosity enhancer, resin-modified émulsion with viscosity enhancer, and mixture of aqueous émulsion and resin-modified émulsion with viscosity enhancer.

[0033] In another embodiment, the method further includes mixing the curing agent or accelerator into the native soil or road bed material prior to the application of the aqueous émulsion or resin-modified émulsion.

[0034] In another embodiment, the method further includes the addition of the curing agent or accelerator to the aqueous émulsion or resin-modified émulsion prior to application into, or onto, the native soil or road bed.

[00351 In another embodiment, the method further includes mixing an aqueous émulsion and a resin-modified émulsion with associated native soil to form a road base,

applying to the road base a tack coat of aqueous émulsion, adding rock chips to the tack coat, wherein the chips are not washed prior to use, and rolling the tack coat.

[0036] Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those ski lied in the art to which it pertaîns upon reading and understanding of the following detailed spécification.

III. Brief Description of the Drawings [0037] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, at least one embodîment of which will be described in detail in this spécification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

[0038] FIGURE l shows a chart of the Samitron stiffness measurements of one embodîment represent chip seal is ~ ‘Λ” thick and the Samitron depth of measurement is ~ 9”;

[0039] FIGURE 2 shows a comparative chart of CBR testing;

[0040] FIGURE 3 shows a comparative chart of résilient modulus; and, [0041] FIGURE 4 shows a chart showing the increase in pressure withstood by the composition.

IV. Detailed Description [0042] In FIGURES 2 and 3 the Résilient Modulus was calculated based on the CBR values according to the Relationship: Mr (psi) = 1500 CBR. Formulation A is (a) 67% by weight percent based upon the total weight of the émulsion a mixture comprising pitch, rosin, an emulsifying agent, and water; (b) 33% acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer and water; and (c) chip sealed with acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer and water. Formulation B is (a) 67% by weight percent based upon the total weight of the émulsion a mixture comprising pitch, rosin, an emulsifying agent, and water; (b) 33% acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer and water; and (c) chip sealed with thickened acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer and water.

[0043] In one embodîment of the présent invention, the characteristics of the composition for road base materials can include a composition that is an aqueous émulsion comprising about 5.0% to about 60.0% by weight of acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer, and 40.0% to about 95.0% by weight of water. In this embodîment, this aqueous émulsion is combined with a resin-modified émulsion (described in U.S.

Patent No. 4,822,425, which is incorporated herein by reference) which comprises from (a) about l to about 90 weight percent based upon the total weight of said émulsion of a mixture comprising pitch from about 5 to about 95 weight percent based on the total weight of the mixture and rosin from 1 to 70 weight percent based on the total weight of the mixture; (b) from about 0.1 to 5.0 weight percent based upon the total weight of said émulsion of an emulsifying agent and (c) from about 9.9 to 98 weight percent based upon the total weight of the émulsion of water.

[0044] Water insoluble - the mixture of pitch and rosin when dispersed onto the aggregate material after the water has evaporated will not be washed away by rainwater and the like thereby weakening the final product. As mentioned, the oil base dust control products do not adhéré or bind themselves to the aggregate but are water soluble and do wash away with the rain. Non-flammable - the mixture or the émulsion will not catch fire instantly when exposed to a spark or flame and will not bum rapidly or continuously. Non-corrosive - the mixture of émulsion has a neutral pH. Consequently, it will not rust or corrode metals. Many of the dust control agents of the prior art are chloride based, such as, magnésium chloride and calcium chloride which are corrosive. Emulsion or pîne tar émulsion - the mixture of pitch and rosin has been emulsified in water using an emulsifying agent. The water being the continuous phase and the mixture of pitch and rosin being the dispersed phase. Standard emulsifying technology is used to produce the émulsion of the instant invention. Any standard emulsifying unit can be used that will produce a maximum particle size in the pitch and rosin phase of from about 5 to 10 microns. Stabilizing when aggregate is applied to roadways and the like, the aggregate is held into place forming a solid paving material such that even through the paving material is subjected to heavy traffic such as automobiles and heavy trucks, freezîng and thawing, wind and rain, érosion, etc., the material will remain unchanged. Aggregate - materials, such as, granular rock particles, shale or similar materials with sîmilar hardness and inertness either natural or manufactured, and either in situ or imported. Pitch - pine tar pitch which is the residue obtained from a distillation column in the paper producing process. Rosin - the rosin as defïned in the Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 9th Edition, published by Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1977, page 756. i/ [0045]” Pliable - the stabilized aggregate will not break up under the maximum allowable highway axle weights of vehicles traveling on these roadways paved with the stabilized aggregate. Water imperméable - the stabilized aggregate is waterproof and will actually shed water. Weight supporting - the stabilized aggregate is bound together suffi ci ently to withstand stress and pressures associât ed with heavy vehicles traveling on roadways. Repairable - the stabilized aggregate is easily repaired, as compared to asphalt where certain asp hait patching material tends to be easily removed from pot holes. Stable (the instant émulsion) - the continuous water phase of the émulsion will not separate from the pitch/rosin phase of the émulsion for at least l month. Stable or stabilized (the instant stabilized aggregate material) - the pitch/rosin coating on the aggregate will not re-emulsify or plate out after compaction of the aggregate and after the water has evaporated. This stabilized aggregate material will remain stable even when exposed to large amounts of water such as heavy rains. If this material was not stable, the pitch/rosin would re-emulsify resulting in the material becoming soft and non-weight supporting. Solid material - the stabilized aggregate after it has formed a block of material or has formed a roadway surface, etc. Freeze résistant - the stabilized aggregate may be subjected to freezing and thawing températures without affecting the strength or weight supporting capability of the stabilized aggregate. Dilutable - the concentrated émulsion is capable and may be dîluted with water, e.g., I to 30 parts water to l part émulsions, to form a product which is easily mîxed with aggregate to provide a pothole or crack patching material or it may be sprayed to seal asphalt, concrète or other paved surfaces, etc. Emulsifying agent - will facilitate the formation of an émulsion. An émulsion as defined herein or as used herein, is defined in the Condensed Chemical Dictionary 9th Edition, page 340. Any suitable emulsifying agent may be used. Emulsifiers may be anionic, cationic or nonionic. A large number of such emulsifying agents are well known in the émulsion art. Anionic emulsifiers include soaps, such as, the alkali métal soaps of fatty acids, rosin acids, tolyl acids, alkaryl sufonic acids, and the like. Cationic emulsifying agents include aliphalic amines, aromatic amines with fatty acid chains, fatty amides quatemary ammonium salts, polyethylene diamines and their quatemary ammonium dérivatives, alkyl imidazolines and the like. Nonionic emulsifying agents ^ include polyoxyethylene dérivative of alcohols, acids, ethers, phénols, amides, or amines.

[0046] “Binder/hardner” - a substance that sets and hardens and can bind materials together and accélérai es the curing process. “Hydraulic curing agent” - a substance that cures due to hydration or a chemical reaction independent of water content. “Nonhydraulic curing agent” - a substance that must be kept dry during the curing process. [0047] In several embodiments of the présent invention, methods for improving soil or road base materials are provided. As used in this patent application, the term “soil” is broadly used to describe the top layer of the earth's surface, consisting of rock and minerai particles mixed with organic matter (also known as, by non-limiting reference, earth or dirt); whether originally located at the road construction site (“native soil” or “in situ soil”) or transported to the road construction site. As used in this patent application, the phrase “road base materials” is broadly used to describe any substance from which a road surface, base, or sub-base could be constructed; including, but certainly not limited to by this non-limiting reference, rock, broken rock, gravel (whether pebble, granule, or other size or mixture), sand, cobble, slag, or other construction aggregate or fill material. The manner of composition application can include any method chosen with sound engineering judgment; but in most instances, application of the chemical agent to the soil is accomplished by the use of conventional spray equipment (spray trucks). The agent is gravity fed or pumped through hoses, spray nozzles, or fixed sprayers and evenly applied to the soil or material to be treated. [0048] In one embodiment, a road base is built of the aqueous émulsion and resinmodified émulsion mixed with the native soil. In one embodiment the road base is about four inches deep. In another embodiment, a binder (i.e. Portland cernent) can be added to the road base. In another embodiment, synthetic fibers can be added to the base as well. In one embodiment, a tack coat of about 25 % by weight to about 75% by weight of the resin-modified émulsion and about 25% by weight to about 75% by weight of the aqueous émulsion can be added to the road base. After the tack coat is applied, chips of limestone are added to the tack coat, which is then rolled with a pneumatic roller, and then rolled with a steel drum. In this embodiment, no asphalt is used to build the road, and the product is substantially free of polycyclic organic matter, including polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. It is to be understood that the tack coat could also be just the aqueous émulsion. It is also to be understood that the tack coat could be a combination of the aqueous émulsion and a viscosity enhancer.

[0049] In another embodiment, composition includes about 25% polymer émulsion (either thickened or unthickened) by volume and about 75% pitch/rosîn émulsion by volume as a base. The base is diluted to achieve optimum moîsture. The chip contaîns a tack coat which is about 25% thickened polymer émulsion by volume and about 75% pitch/rosîn émulsion by volume, wherein no water is added to the tack coat, and a seal coat which is the composition as the tack coat, except that it is diluted 2:l with water. The invention can be used as a base alone, a surface alone, both base and surface, chip over existing asphalt roads, as well as chip over existing stable native soil roads. In several embodiments, the aggregate can be chosen from the group comprising in situ soils, reclaimed asphalt, reclaimed concrète, limestone, river rock, granité, decomposed granité, and any combination of the above aggregates. The aggregate can be either washed or unwashed.

[0050] In one embodiment Marshall Stability testing was performed in accordance to ASTM D 6927 on several formulations, with the range of results being 4,450 lbs to 12,490 lbs. The CBR testing was conducted in accordance with ASTM DI883-99. The aggregate material was sieved in accordance to ASTM D 422. The aggregate was classîfied through USCS (Unified Soil Classification System) as SP-poorly-graded sand; > 50% of coarse fraction passes No.4 sieve; through AASHTO (American Association of State Hîghway and Transportation Officiais) as A-l-b material = General rating as a subgrade is excellent to good. The optimum moîsture was determined to be 7.2% calculated in accordance to ASTM D 1557.

[0051] The road base can be made of native soil combined with the aqueous émulsion, the native soil combined with the resin-modified émulsion, or the native soil combined with the aqueous émulsion and the resin-modified émulsion. In one embodiment of this invention, the chips do not need to be washed prior to use.

]0052] In another embodiment, the tack coat can be applied directly to an asphalt road as well. In this embodiment, the tack coat, which can be the aqueous émulsion, the resin-modified émulsion, the aqueous emulsion/resin-modified émulsion, or any of the previous combined with a viscosity enhancer. To this tack coat can be added the chips as described above. 'S' [0053] In one embodiment, the treated soil or road base materials are graded and compacted, using any means chosen with sound engineering judgment, and a top coat of the composition is applied. Motor-graders, asphalt grinders, mixers, pug mills, compactors, rollers, and other conventional construction equipment may be utilized to 5 blend, set grade, and compact stabilized base, if necessary, as described in herein. A top coat is defined broadly as any application of the soil or road base materials chemical improvement composition that is applied after compaction.

[0054] In another embodiment, the composition includes a curing agent. The curing agent allows the road or road base to be open to traffic or use in a matter of hours rather 10 than days. The curing agent increases the early strength of the surface without compromîsing the late or long term strength. The curing agent allows for rapid attainment of residual moisture levels and allows installation in conditions of less than idéal moisture. The curing agent is exothermîc, allowing for use in less then idéal températures normally needed for émulsion drying and curing. With reference now to 15 FIGURE 4, the graph shows increase in pressure withstood with the increased percentage of curing agent mixed with the aggregate (“native soil”). Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were used. The curing agent used in the testing of FIGURE 4 was a non-Portland hydraulic binder, and in this particular example was Ciment Fondu®, available from Kemeos SA, Seine, France. Ciment Fondu® has a 20 chemical composition of 37.5% to 41.0% by weight AI2O3, 35.5% to 39.0% by weight

CaO, 3.5% to 5.5% S1O2, 13.0% to 17.5% Fe₂O3, less than 1.5% MgO, and less than

4.0% TiO₂. In another embodiment, the curing agent comprises greater than 37.0% AI2O3, less than 41.0% CaO, less than 6.0% SiO₂, less than 18.5% Fe₂O₃, less than 1.5% MgO, and less than 4.0% TiO₂. In another embodiment, the curing agent can be 25 aluminum silicate. When the curing agent is added to the soil, the curing agent is approximately 0.1 % to approximately 20.0% by weight of the soil When the curing agent is added to the émulsion, the curing agent is approximately 0.1% to approximately 30.0% by weight.

[0055] In one embodiment of the présent invention, the characteristics of the composition for road base materials can include a composition that is an aqueous émulsion comprising about 5.0% to about 60.0% by weight of acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer, about 0.1% to about 30.0% by weight and 10.0% to about 94.9% by weight J of water. In this embodiment, this aqueous émulsion is combined with a resin-modified émulsion (described in U.S. Patent No. 4,822,425, which is incorporated herein by reference) which comprises from (a) about l to about 90 weight percent based upon the total weight of said émulsion of a mixture comprising pitch from about 5 to about 95 weight percent based on the total weight of the mixture and rosin from l to 70 weight percent based on the total weight of the mixture; (b) from about O.l to 5.0 weight percent based upon the total weight of said émulsion of an emulsifying agent and (c) from about 9.9 to 98 weight percent based upon the total weight of the émulsion of water.

[0056] In one embodiment of the présent invention, the characteristics of the composition for road base materials can include a composition that is an aqueous émulsion comprising about 5.0% to about 60.0% by weight of acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer and 40.0% to about 95% by weight of water. In this embodiment, this aqueous émulsion is combined with a resin-modified émulsion (described in U.S.

Patent No. 4,822,425, which is incorporated herein by reference) which comprises from (a) about l to about 90 weight percent based upon the total weight of said émulsion of a mixture comprising pitch from about 5 to about 95 weight percent based on the total weight of the mixture and rosin from l to 70 weight percent based on the total weight of the mixture; (b) from about O.l to 5.0 weight percent based upon the total weight of said émulsion of an emulsifying agent (c) from about 9.8 to 98 weight percent based upon the total weight of the émulsion of water, and (d) from about 0.1 to 30.0 weight percent based upon the total weight of the émulsion of a curing agent.

[0057] With reference to FIGURE 1, the Samitron stiffriess measurements of one embodiment represent the stabilîzed soîl as the chip seal is approximately % inch thick and the Samitron depth measurement is about 9 inches. This performance is comparable to that of the best quality aggregate bases used for interstate highway construction. This shows that the présent invention will perform at least as well as a moderate volume road and excellent as a parking lot. FIGURE 1 represents approximately Vi inch of a chip seal over top of native soil mixed with the présent invention.

[0058] In a listing of potentiel embodiments, the following chemical combinations are potential embodiments (ail percentages are based on weight of the émulsion, the A' émulsions are between about 20% to about 65% by weight of active ingrédient): polymer émulsion at about 100% by weight; pitch/rosin émulsion at about 100% by weight; thickened polymer émulsion at about 100% by weight; polymer émulsion (about 5% to about 95%) with pitch/rosin émulsion (about 5% to about 95%); and thickened polymer émulsion (about 5% to about 95%) with pitch/rosin émulsion (about 5% to about 95%).

In several embodiments rheology modifiers (thickeners) may be used. The rheology modifier can be chosen from the group comprising naturally occurring gums (i.e. xanthan gum, guar gum), polyacrylamide polymers, methylcellulose, silicas, and carbonates. In several embodiments, drying aids are used. The drying aid can be chosen from the group comprising surfactants (i.e. alpha olefin sulfonates, sodium lauryl sulfonates, sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate), linseed oil, walnut oil, corn oil, tong oil, poppy oil, péril la oil, cotton oil, and alcohols (i.e. methanol, isopropyl alcohol). [0059] The embodiments hâve been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those ski lied in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include ail such modifications and alterations insofar as they corne within the scope of the appended claîms or the équivalents thereof. Although the description above contains much specificity, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Various other embodiments and ramifications are possible within its scope.

Furthermore, notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the spécifie examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard déviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0060] Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:

Claims (12)

1. CLAIMS:

   l, A composition for road sealing, the composition characterized by:

   an aqueous émulsion of acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer;

   water;

   a resin-modified émulsion, wherein the resîn-modified émulsion comprises: a mixture of pitch and rosin;

   an emulsifying agent; and, water, wherein the composition is substantially free of asphalt.
2. 2. The composition of claim l, wherein the composition further comprises a binder.
3. 3.

   The composition of claim l, wherein the composition is further characterized by:

   a tack coat:

   a curing agent, wherein the curing agent is about 0.1 % to about 30.0% by weight, wherein the curing agent is part of the aqueous émulsion, wherein the curing agent is chosen from the group comprising hydraulic curing agents and non-hydraulic curing agents wherein the composition is substantially free of polycyclic organic matter;

   limestone chips, wherein the tack coat is characterized by an aqueous émulsion and a viscosity enhancer, wherein the tack coat is characterized by:

   resin-modified émulsion of pitch, rosin, an emulsifying agent, and water; and, an aqueous émulsion of acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer.
4. 4. The composition of daims l-3, wherein the composition is further characterized by:

   soil; and, synthetic fibers, wherein the acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer are between about 5.0% and about 60.0% by weight, the water is between about 40.0% and about 94.0% by weight, the curing agent is between about 0.1% and about 30.0%, and the resin émulsion between about l .0% and about 55.0% by weight, wherein within the resin émulsion the pitch is between about l.0% and about 95% by weight, the rosin is between about l% to about 70%, the emulsifying agent is between about 0. l% to about 5.0% by weight, and the water is between about 10% to about 98% by weight.
5. 5. A method for road sealing, the method characterized by the steps of:

   mixing an aqueous émulsion of acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer and a resinmodified émulsion of pîtch, rosin, and an emulsifying agent with associated native soil to form a road base, wherein the composition is substantially free of asphalt.
6. 6. The method of claim 5, the method further characterized by the steps of:

   applying to the road base a tack coat of aqueous émulsion;

   adding rock chips to the tack coat; and, rolling the tack coat, wherein the aqueous émulsion is an acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer and water, and the resin-modified émulsion is pitch, rosin, emulsifying agent, and water.
7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the tack coat is a mixture of aqueous émulsion and a viscosity enhancer, wherein the step of applying to the road base a tack coat of aqueous émulsion, is characterized by:

   applying to the road base a tack coat of about 25% to about 75% by weight resin-modified émulsion and about 25% to about 75% by weight of aqueous émulsion, wherein prior to the step of mixing an aqueous émulsion and a resin-modified émulsion with associated native soil to form a road base, the method is characterized by the step of:

   mixing a curing agent with associated native soil, wherein the curing agent is about 0.1 % to about 20.0% by weight of the soil, wherein the curing agent is chosen from the group comprising non-hydraulic curing agents and hydraulic curing agents.
8. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein method is further characterized by the steps of:

   adding a binder to the road base; and, adding synthetic fibers to the road base, wherein no polycyclic organic matter is used. i
9. 9. A composition for road sealîng, the composition characterized by:

   about 5% to about 95% polymer émulsion by volume;

   about 5% to about 95% acrylic and vinyl acetate pitch/rosin émulsion by volume; and, a tack coat, wherein the composition is substantîally free of asphalt.
10. 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition is further characterized by:

    a curing agent, wherein the curing agent is chosen from the group comprising hydraulic curing agents and non-hydraulic curing agents;

    a rheology modifier, wherein the rheology modifier is chosen from the group comprising naturally occurring gums, polyacrylamide polymers, methylcellulose, silicas, and carbonates; and, a drying aid, wherein the drying aid is chosen from the group comprising surfactants, linseed oil, walnut oil, corn oil, tong oil, poppy oil, péri lia oil, cotton oil, and alcohols.
11. 11. A method for road sealing, the method characterized by the steps of:

    applying a tack coat directly on an associated asphalt road, wherein the tack coat îs chosen from the group consisting of mixtures of aqueous émulsion and resinmodified émulsion, and mixtures of aqueous émulsion and resin-modified émulsion with viscosîty enhancer, wherein the aqueous émulsion is an acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer and water, and the resin-modified émulsion is pitch, rosin, emulsifying agent, and water.
12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the method is further characterized by the steps of;

    mixing a curing agent with associated native soil;

    mixîng an aqueous émulsion and a resin-modified émulsion with the associated native soil to form a road base;

    applying to the road base a tack coat of aqueous émulsion;

    adding rock chips to the tack coat, wherein the chips are not washed prior to use; and, rolling the tack coat, wherein the aqueous émulsion contains a curing agent, wherein the curing agent is about 0.1 % to about 30.0% by weight, wherein the resin5 modified émulsion contains a curing agent, wherein the curing agent is about 0.1% to about 30.0% by weight, wherein the curing agents are chosen from the group comprising hydraulic curing agents and non-hydraulic curing agents.