Asphalt

ASPHALT – 20

Developed in the 1960s in Germany and currently used as a coating for European and American highways and airports, the SMA (Stone Matrix Asphalt) asphalt mixture has gained a new version in Brazil. To replace the cellulose fibers, which normally make up the mixture, researchers from the Fluminense Federal University (UFF) and the Fluminense Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology (IFF), in Rio de Janeiro, created an asphalt that uses sugarcane bagasse. -of sugar.

The function of the component in the “recipe” is to prevent the asphalt cement from running out during the mixing and application process. Due to its greater durability and resistance, SMA asphalt is recommended for roads with heavy traffic. In the country, the first application took place on the tracks of the Interlagos race track.

The cost of SMA-type asphalt is about 30% higher to the common. However, the cost-effectiveness is greater. The main advantages are the greater adherence of the tire to the pavement and the reduction of water spray when it is raining.

ASPHALT – 21

When we make an investment in something, we always have to think about the cost-benefit, it may be that a larger investment lasts longer than a smaller investment, and in the end, we will spend less, but in many cases, due to a politician to get funds to do maintenance on a road, he wants the asphalt to last for a short time, because that way, more maintenance will be done on the site, having more opportunity to bid to hire companies, and thus divert money from works.

The first highway to receive the new technology was BR-356, which connects the cities of Campos and São João da Barra, on the north coast of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The experimental section is about 200 meters long. In addition to the use of sugarcane bagasse, the stretch had another resource to reduce the environmental impact: the recycling of tires. The rubber was reused in the asphalt binder.

Although the process of coating a highway with bagasse is more expensive, we have to find a way to make this new method cheaper, one of the ways, it would be by making the freight of the material cheaper, buying

ASPHALT – 22

sugarcane bagasse directly from mills, if it is works done close to mills, the company responsible for the work would buy directly from the mill, thus making the “freight” cheaper.