UHP Water Cutter
High Pressure Water Cutter
Top
– Cleared road
Bottom – Road surface flushed with bitumen
Richard Shaw and Greg Slaughter
Techlink would like to thank Richard Shaw, Greg Slaughter and the experts at Fulton Hogan Ltd, for their contributions to this case study.
Introduction
Flushing of bitumen is a major problem on many New Zealand roads. It occurs where bitumen rises through the road producing a shiny black surface. Roads flushed with bitumen are dangerous to road users as they cause vehicle hydroplaning, and reduced traction and skid resistance. Flushing is a serious concern for the roading engineer.
Flushed road surfaces are usually the result of wear and tear by vehicles or the result of some defect in the underlying pavement. Flushed surfaces can also be caused by poor construction techniques such as too much bitumen applied during surfacing.
Traditional methods of removing bitumen are not always effective and are not environmentally sound. Fulton Hogan has developed an Ultra High Pressure (UHP) Water Cutter which they believe is the most effective and environmentally responsible road maintenance tool for the treatment of flushed bitumen currently available in New Zealand, if not anywhere (Conceptual statement).
