A sulphur extended asphalt test road in eastern Saudi Arabia

The substitution of liquid sulphur for part of the asphalt in flexible pavements, has been receiving considerable attention because of the projected increase in sulphur supplies in many regions of the world, in addition to its ability to function as an integral part of the binder. A test road paved with sulphur- extended- asphalt (sea) was recently constructed near dammam, eastern saudi arabia. This paper describes the layout of this road, provides information on its design and construction details and presents some data on its pavement materials (sea mixes) and its performance since its completion 10 months ago. The monitoring program, currently underway, will help determine how best can sulphur, produced as a by- product of gas gathering projects in Saudi Arabia, be utilized as an extender of asphalt for pavement construction (a).