The Metrology, Standards and Materials Division of the Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM/RI), started an in-house research study on sulphur-asphalt pavement development in 1978 when sulphur produced in the Kingdom was available in abundance and the international price of paving asphalt was soaring high due to the energy crisis. Among the various available techniques of substituting asphalt by sulphur, the sulphur-extended-asphalt (SEA) paving technology developed by Gulf Canada was considered to be the closest to practical applications. Three SEA test roads were laid in the Eastern Province in cooperation with Gulf Canada and the Ministry of Ministry of Communication (MOC), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as part of the ongoing road development program of the MOC. A sulphur/asphalt ratio of 30/70 by weight was used in Test Road One (Kuwait Diversion) and Test Road Three (KFUPM), while a higher percentage of 45/55 was used in the Test Road Two (Abu Hadriyah Expressway). Pavement conditions of the three test roads have been monitored from time to time and the results reported herein. (A)
Abstract