WEARING WELL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17408, 5 November 1930, Page 5

WEARING WELL

“HOT MlX’' PAVEMENTS

REASSURING TEST MADE

COMPANY EXPRESSES OPINION Further information in respect of the “hot mix” paving work done, by the Neueliatel Asphalt. Co., Ltd., for the Gisborne Borough Council, which had been the subject of critical comment recently, was contained in a letter received by the council from the New Zealand manager of tile company, at last night’s meeting. After the reading of tho letter, it was explained that a sample block taken up from Childers toad iiad shown tittle, if any, wear, uiul the matter was referred to the works committee for it to examine the block.

The letter from the company stated: “We have to acknowledge receipt of your loiter dated October 16, in reference to your engineer's report indicating that wear is taking place on the asphaltic concrete pavement laid some time ago. “The report that the surface of the pavement had begun to wear from the tittle the roads were open for traffic does not conform with our own careful observation from time to time. .May we say that it is not. usual nor necessury to seal-coat an asphaltic concrete pavement mixed to a standard specification as to grading, such as in your ease, and it is customary when traffic is imposed on the new pavements tor the thin film oil the face of the stone that might be resting on the surface to become, worn off after a few weeks of trathe; ami in the ease of. pavements in which crushed blue stone is employed this effect is unnoticed, but in vour pavement the stone is while, and the effect will lie noticed much more readily, and might give the impression that undue wear is taking place. “In regard to that portion of the report that at intersections of streets wear has taken place to the extent of half an inch, may we remind you that practically all the work was done on new foundations, and that the intersections mostly had to be built up. We do not know how the .tin. has been gauged, but would it. not be more likely that the foundations have settled to the extent extent <4 this Aim in many places? appearance of the surface “Without seeing the sample slab referred to in the report, it is difficult for us to gauge what is meant bv lievarious stages of wear,’ and the fact that ‘the top chip is worn through’, does not convey very much, as the original thickness 'of tho chips may have been anything from l-16in. to jjin., according to' how it became placed in the mixture. It is admitted that the quality of the stone available iiv Gisborne is Hot. oqurtl to blue stone for wear, but the Kaiti sand used ill the mixture would certainly increase its efficiency in this direction. “The writer examined the pavements last Match, and formed the opinion that the present generation would never sec them worn out, and we feel sitre that tile appearance of tho surface, due to the nature of the metal in tho aggregate, is being mistaken for wear. “If your council, however, determines to seal-coat the streets referred to, we shall certainly he pleased to make our advice available, in which case we presume Trinidad bitumen would be used, but we cannot conscientiously recommend you to seal-coat these surfaces, which! iu our opinion, would involve unnecessary expense.’’ Tho Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman, said ho had conferred with the representatives of other asphalt companies, and they were of opinion that the pavements should be given a seal coat. However, at his request, the borough engineer, Mr. G. E. Davttm, had taken up for inspection purposes a large slab from Childers road, and the portion did not. appear to lie worn at all. From appearances, the surface was standing up to traffic well, antF he would move that the. matter should be referred to the works committee to examine the test block. Mr. Dartori was well pleased with the discovery. Ct. IT. H. DeCosla suggested that in view of the test made by the engineer it was unnecessary to go any ' further in the matter. T)ie Mayor replied that the council might do ‘nothing further-— lie. did not think it would- -but. it was necessary for the Councillors to satisfy themselves that everything was in order. The Mayor's motion was carried.