The trial in Curbridge, Oxfordshire will see whether the new wonder material lives up to claims that it improves the lifespan of road surfaces.
Skanska will lay an asphalt concrete with a proprietary innovative graphene-enhanced super modifier to refurbish the two upper layers of a 750m long section of road.
The material is supplied by Directa Plus and its partner Iterchimica, an Italian-based leader in products that enhance asphalt performance and follows successful trials in Italy.
Italian trial
The trial comparing G+asphalt concrete with the super modifier to a traditional asphalt surfacing
• Service life-fatigue resistance improvement was measured at over 250%
• Resistance to the passage of vehicles-mechanical tests showed an Indirect Tensile Strength increase of 35%
• Resistance to deformation at the same load- Stiffness Modulus was measured at different temperatures, showing an improvement of 46 per cent at 40°C;
• Permanent plastic deformation- rutting values (track left by tyres) was 35% lower at 60°C.
The G+ upgraded asphalt is the result of a three-year research program with a patent filed in 2017.
Once laid, asphalt concrete with super modifier can be fully recycled, which can reduce the extraction of new materials from quarries and first-use bitumen.
Giulio Cesareo, Founder and CEO of Directa Plus, said: “This trial is an important step for Directa Plus and Iterchemica, in partnership, in proving the business and use case for the next generation of graphene enhanced road surfaces.
“This technology will allow governments to supply better quality roads for drivers and other road users, at better value for money, and in a more environmentally sustainable way.
“Working with leading companies such as Iterchemica to bring the benefits of G+ graphene enhanced products and materials to market is a key part of Directa Plus’ strategy across all our key industrial verticals.”
