SYNTHETIC AGGREGATE SEAL COATS-CURRENT TEXAS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT PRACTICES

PERSONAL VISITS, QUESTIONNAIRES, AND A REVIEW OF AVAILABLE LITERATURE WERE UTILIZED TO IDENTIFY CURRENT SYNTHETIC AGGREGATE SEAL COAT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES UTILIZED BY THE TEXAS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF SEAL COATS UTILIZING SYNTHETIC AGGREGATES FOR COVERSTONE ARE DEFINED. POOR PERFORMANCE ASSOCIATED WITH WET AGGREGATES AND DEGRADATION OF AGGREGATES IS MAINLY RESPONSIBLE FOR POOR RESULTS OBSERVED IN THE FIELD. SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS TO THESE PROBLEMS ARE PRESENTED INCLUDING: CONTROL OF AGGREGATE QUANTITITES, ROLLING PRACTICES, DESIGN FOR TRAFFIC DENSITY, TRAFFIC CONTROL, AND CONSTRUCTIOON TIMING RELATIVE TO EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. /AUTHOR/