Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) Based High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST) for Highway Surfaces

Abstract

High friction surface treatments (HFST) are a proven crash reduction technology. However, their high cost necessitates exploring the use of alternative materials. This study assessed the design and application of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) as an alternative to traditional epoxy resin-based binder for HFST. In addition, the use of local alternative aggregates with low abrasion loss was explored as an alternative to the traditional calcined bauxite as an HFST component. Various methods for applying UHPC-based HFST were also evaluated, including the use of intermixing HFST aggregate and exposing aggregate texture with surface retarders or broadcasting HFST aggregate in similar fashion to traditional HFST methods with and without vibration. The mean profile depth (MPD) and friction (dynamic friction tester) produced from UHPC-based HFST and the performance of the surfaces under polishing by the three-wheel polishing device (TWPD) were also evaluated. While the traditional makeup of epoxy resin with calcined bauxite aggregate exhibited the best performance in testing, UHPC-based HFST samples were also able to produce adequate friction and texture and maintain performance under polishing such that they could be considered feasible alternatives to traditional resin-based HFST surfaces. The use of local alternative aggregates as HFST aggregate failed to perform at the same level of calcined bauxite and are not recommended for long-term frictional performance. UHPC using surface retarders to expose calcined bauxite HFST aggregate is a viable alternative to traditional resin-based HFST materials.