Washboarding on gravel drive

[paulsharvey]

I did just look at a product called Gravel Lok, it's about $100/gallon, and it covers about 80-100 sq ft per gallon. No way is that a real option. We would be at about $15,000. You could probably have the entire 1500 ft drive chip sealed for less than that, or atleast in the same ball park, for a proven, widely used, good product

 

[paulsharvey]

So, as an example, here is a North FLa based paving company/asphalt plant that Actually puts prices up. Now, as a background, Trackless Tack is more money than what I like, Special MS, a medium set, asphalt emulsion prime/tack. Track less has a wax additive to avoid tracking, so Special MS is actually cheaper, and can be diluted (Nebraska DOT did a study, showing that diluted prime, if applied with a heavier total Gal/SY did just as well, as less spread, higher concentration), would do a very good job of binding your gravel. The struggle is finding a company that does priming/tacking/chip seal. But $6/gal for a known product vs $100/gal for some magic in a bucket resin...

 

[paulsharvey]

You could probably do something like a 0.15 gal/sy application of asphalt emulsion over your gravel (once graded), and sand the top, and be pretty happy with the results.

This would Not restrict you being able to Pave or chip seal later if desired. Some of the polymer/resin products May. Oil or diesel sprayed would certainly.

 

[paulsharvey]

Here is a direct copy and paste of Clay County FLa Public Works statement on dirt roads.


Dirt Road Maintenance

Clay County has approximately 247 miles of County-owned or maintained dirt roads. More than 90% of these roads consist of sand and clay, which comprise the road base. The condition of these roads is highly dependent on the volume and type of traffic, drainage systems, and weather conditions. Erosion of unpaved roads and drainage systems is the most significant factor affecting maintenance requirements.

Erosion of unpaved roadways occurs when soil particles are loosened and carried away from the roadway base and into the drainage system. Soil particles that settle out in the drainage system reduce the ditch's carrying capacity, which in turn causes roadway flooding and, thus, more roadway erosion. Grading dirt roads with little moisture content in the soil is futile and is often the cause of road surface degradation, such as "washboarding" and other problems associated with soil loss. Frequent, excessive, and unnecessary disturbances by continued grading increase erosion, which accounts for a large percentage of dirt road maintenance costs and the deposit of sediments in our water bodies. Properly timed and selective surface maintenance, which includes drainage systems, will minimize erosion problems and lengthen the life of the road surface.

 

[paulsharvey]

The erosion part, they kinda give it an environmental spin, which it does cause turbity, i think they largely are basically talking about the loss of the clay binder, and the sand, which makes up the bulk of material. In part of the world that have gravel, I think the same largely applies.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Wash board is created by accelerating vehicle on surfaces that have poor traction, il will happen on hills and after corners every time on gravel road. Have you consider calcium treatment? or slowing down?

 

[yanmars]

On the lane itself I really do not have hills as such, slight inclines and I travel the lane under 10 mph, usually 5 mph or so. Perhaps that is too fast?

 

[Rockbadchild]

On the lane itself I really do not have hills as such, slight inclines and I travel the lane under 10 mph, usually 5 mph or so. Perhaps that is too fast?

Fast or maintaining speed is fine it's acceleration the problem... But in a way there will be no way around it, eventually it will happen. Also if there was washboard at one point and gravel was simply added on top, washboard or pot hole will mold that and resurface.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Fast or maintaining speed is fine it's acceleration the problem... But in a way there will be no way around it, eventually it will happen. Also if there was washboard at one point and gravel was simply added on top, washboard or pot hole will mold that and resurface.

Yes to the above and also if you want to completely get rid of washboard you need to loosen the gravel to the bottom of the washboard and grade it smooth. A bit of compaction at this point goes a long way. After a good rain is an optimal time for doing that. Then as you drive over the gravel it kind of locks into place. After that avoid the hard acceleration that contributes to washboard formation.

 

[gsganzer]

I think one of the biggest causes of washboarding is excessive speed. On my deerlease, when the old rancher was still alive and working, the ranch roads were always in pretty decent shape, with the exception of places where it would get washed out with rain.

After he passed, the son-in-law took over. The roads are all washboard now. The difference is the son-in-law drives crazy fast on the roads.