Chip Seal with Lightweight Aggregates for Low-Volume Roads

Chip seal is widely used for preventive maintenance of low-volume roads in many states, including Kansas. Although there are no distinct design guidelines for using lightweight aggregates in chip seals, these aggregates are extensively used in Kansas to limit windshield damage caused by flying chips. Lightweight aggregates were used with polymer-modified asphalt emulsion to determine proper aggregate and emulsion application rates to minimize chip loss in longer-lasting chip seals on low-volume roads. A statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate chip seal performance characteristics that include aggregate retention, aggregate embedment depth, and rutting. Results show that aggregate retention and embedment depth depend on aggregate–emulsion interaction, whereas rutting depends on the type of aggregates used.