Reliable Performance Even with Regular Submersion

Challenge

The Jaipur-Mahua Tollway experienced severe rutting caused by a combination of heavy traffic demands and challenging environmental conditions. Commercial trucks were reported to carry nearly twice the allowable load, placing substantial stress on the pavement structure. The region’s hot semi-arid climate further accelerated pavement distress, with summer temperatures approaching 50°C (122°F) and the average annual precipitation exceeding 63 cm (25in). Seasonal monsoon conditions introduced additional challenges by exposing pavements to extended periods of moisture. Together, excessive loading, extreme heat, and recurring rainfall accelerated deterioration and increased the need for a paving solution capable of performing under these conditions.

Solution

To address these challenges, Cube Highways partnered with Kraton to implement HiMA™ technology on a section of the Jaipur-Mahua Tollway in 2018. The pavement structure included a 4 cm (1.6 in) HiMA-enabled dense-graded wearing course placed over approximately 23 cm (9 in) of combined unmodified dense macadam binder course and dense-graded wearing course.

AR Thermosets Private Limited manufactured and supplied the HiMA binder designed to the PG76E-28 specification. Markolines Pavement Technologies Limited managed asphalt mixture production and construction. The HiMA mixture was produced in a batch plant at 165°C (329°F) and transported over distances ranging from approximately 15 to 30 km (9 to 19 mi). During paving operations, the construction team achieved excellent pavement density while compacting at 115°C (239°F) using a combination of vibratory compactors and pneumatic tire rollers. The paving crew reported that the HiMA mix maintained strong stability throughout compaction compared with conventional asphalt mixtures

Impact

The HiMA pavement section has demonstrated strong field performance since its installation in 2018. According to project observations, the section continues to perform without defects despite exposure to heavy traffic and environmental conditions. The section also showed no defects after the pavement surface was submerged under water for several days during a monsoon event. The successful implementation demonstrated the ability of HiMA technology to provide a durable solution under demanding operating conditions and helped validate its use for heavily trafficked roadway applications in challenging climates.