Cooper providing a Solution for the Algerian East-West Expressway

Strong presence in Northern Africa …

Customer challenge

Due for completion in 2010, Algeria’s US$11.2 billion East-West Expressway development is the world’s largest current highway construction project. The development, financed by the Algerian Government, will extend 1,216km and ensure the link between Annaba in the north-east and Tlemcen in the north-west – passing directly through 24 provinces and linking Algeria to Tunisia and Morocco. French asphalt mixtures and testing procedures have been specified.

‘The French asphalt mixture design method is an advanced, performance-based asphalt mixture design method. It is complicated and time consuming with four levels that can take one month to complete. French asphalts such as EME2 are expensive due to a bitumen content which is around 1 % higher than in conventional mixes, but prove cost effective in terms of life cycle cost analysis’, said Mr. Jia Yu, Vice Chief Engineer at the Jiangsu Transportation Research Institute. For high modulus asphalt concrete mixture, there are two categories, EME is used in base course and BBME is used in binder and surface course. The two materials are both used in the Algeria East-West Expressway with a wearing course of BBMA. There are two types of EME. EME1 uses low asphalt content as found in conventional mixes, consequently fatigue life is not good so EME2 is used much more widely.

These materials are new to Chinese engineers and have to be studied before they can be adopted in China. The intention is to closely follow the French procedure before modifying for use in Chinese climate and traffic conditions. Mr Jia Yu is unsure how widely used in France EME2 and BBME are. ‘There are many types of mixture used in French and we do not know in which situation to use a certain one.’

Mr Yu goes on to say that, due to lack of European research information and studies of French and European asphalt technology, they are not familiar with French and European asphalt technology, even though the CEN standards are now readily available. They still have little practical experience. He has found that there are many options within CEN specification and test methods, and does not know which are used by which country, and which method used in which situation.

Cooper total solution

The testing laboratories were equipped with large wheel trackers, automatic large roller compactors, trapezoidal bending machines and Duriez testing machines, all designed and supplied by Cooper Technology in the UK.  They were successfully installed in three laboratories by Andrew Cooper and a team of installation engineers from Cooper Technology. Following a bespoke training package, delivered on site, engineers based near to Oran are now using the complete range of equipment to satisfy all aspects of quality control. Daily tests on mechanical properties of the asphaltic mixtures used on the road are being undertaken, typically these include: Rutting, Fatigue, Modulus and Duriez all according to stringent EN standards.

Benefits

Cooper Technology provides a complete solution to our customer's requirements with equipment that is user friendly giving repeatable results. The wheel tracker large device CRT-WTENLD includes a unique instrumented measurement device, linked to the data acquisition used to measure the development of rutting during testing. This computer controlled device ensures increased efficiency of the operator. The roller compactor large device CRT-RCENLD-III is also computer controlled to optimize repeatability and productivity through the removal of potential human error. Both machines are UKAS accredited to satisfy typed testing as detailed in EN13108.

The Cooper solution ‘fits the bill’, using Cooper qualities and experience we have ensured the customer has a total solution to fit their needs, resulting in improved efficiency and pavement quality with easy-to-use reliable equipment which has been installed and is supported by a team of experts led by Andrew Cooper.

For options on a total solution for your asphalt query please contact: enquiries@cooper.co.uk

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