United States Department of Transportation
i
District Highway Maintenance Research On-Call (ROC) Task 4: Best Practices for Using Slag in Chip Seal Treatments
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2023-10-01
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[PDF-8.67 MB]
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Edition:Final Report
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Abstract:This research-on-call (ROC) task was conducted to assist the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in gaining a better understanding of slag materials that can be used as chip seal aggregates and the potential benefits and drawbacks from using these materials with chip seal treatments. An online survey was conducted in this study to gather information from state and local transportation agencies regarding the use of slag as a cover aggregate for chip seal treatments. The responses to the online survey indicated that slag is more commonly used by local transportation agencies as a cover aggregate for chip seal treatments than by state departments of transportations, with air-cooled blast furnace slag (ACBFS) being more widely used than basic oxygen furnace (BOF) or electric arc furnace (EAF) slags. Several local public agencies in northeast Ohio reported using #8 ACBFS with their chip seal treatments, even though it is more expensive than washed #8 limestone, due to its many advantages including less dust than limestone aggregates, darker surface resulting in better striping visibility and better public perception, better chip retention, improved durability and skid resistance, better resistance to polishing, and longer chip seal service life. One local public agency in northwest Ohio reported using #8 EAF slag as a cover aggregate for chip seal treatments. This agency reported being very satisfied with the performance of these chip seal treatments, but one concern that was raised regarding the use of EAF slag was the potential for vehicle/windshield damage due to the high density of this slag. A closer examination of the available slag sources in Ohio also revealed the availability of #8 BOF slag in eastern Ohio. However, this slag has not been commonly used for chip seal treatments due to its high percentages of fines. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended to modify ODOT C&MS Item 422 (Chip Seal) to allow the use of ACBFS and EAF slag with chip seal treatments as an alternative to washed limestone or washed dolostone. Additional recommendations were provided in this study to help promote the successful implementation of chip seals with ACBFS or EAF slag by ODOT.
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