Elena -
I am not sure what you mean by "ground roads." If you mean "gravel roads" --
roads that have been improved by the application of a layer of well-graded
sand and gravel, then we are probably writing on the same thing. (I would
think of a "ground road" as "unimproved subgrade" -- in other words: 2 tire
tracks across a field -- which would NOT create alot of dust in most
circumstances.)
In order to prevent dust, you need to bind the fine particulate matter
together, or cover the roadway with a surface that will not allow the dust to
enter the atmosphere. This can be accomplished with a variety of materials
and techniques.
For your information, a study at Colorado State University showed that paving
a gravel road with an asphalt surface becomes cost effective when the traffic
levels exceed 100 cars per day. It is cheaper to maintain the asphalt than
the gravel road.
Other solutions include a double chip seal on top of the gravel. Be sure to
grade and compact the gravel road prior to applying the chip seal.
Also -- there are many books available on the subject of "gravel road
maintenance."
The US Federal Highway Administration has publications available for
purchase, and I have attended a 3 day training course on the subject in Utah
utilizing that manual. Unfortunately, I am responding to your e-mail from
home, and my manual is at the office.
As you stated, a liquid salt solution is often mixed into the gravel. Other
substances include: liquid magnesium chloride, "Penn-Supress" (a liquid
asphalt product), and also "High Float Emulsions" of a particular grade that
excapes me at the moment. All of these solutions require blade mixing into
the gravel, and several blading techniques that are dependent upon the
roadway width are discussed in the manuals.
I would strongly suggest obtaining a manual!
Regards,
Steve Mueller,
District Engineer, The Asphalt Institute
Denver, Colorado, USA
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