Near where I live, I noticed that a construction crew closed off a road to be worked on. Throughout the next few days, I observed how they used multiple different steps to improve the roads quality without replacing it entirely. I later did some research and found out that the process they used, chip sealing and slurry sealing, is a common technique to increase the lifespan of roads.

Throughout their lifetime, roads experience constant pressure from pedestrians, vehicles, and bikes. In order to be safe, roads must be able to handle the pressure and not have too many cracks or breaks. However, over time, eventually cracks will form due to the constant stress from its use. Engineers fix these cracks using chip sealing and slurry sealing to make sure the roads can continue to be used safely.

Chip sealing is the first technique that engineers used in our road to fix it. First, they applied a layer of asphalt emulsion binder throughout the road, and then immediately covered it with small aggregate stones. Rollers pressed the aggregate into the binder, creating a durable layer that protects the road. The slurry seal was then used next to fill the holes between the aggregate and restore skid resistance to the road. They used a mixture of asphalt emulsion, fine aggregate, water, and other additives to coat the road in a smooth, protective layer to make the road work as good as new. Both the chip sealing and slurry sealing helped the road by sealing small cracks, preventing water infiltration, improving the traction, and slowing the deterioration of the pavement, allowing for the residents to have access to a strong road for daily use.I was fortunate enough to be able to observe the engineers fixing the road in person. They carefully applied the materials on one side of the road and worked their way across it, showing how carefully the process must be done to ensure quality. Seeing the process firsthand helped me appreciate how maintenance can protect infrastructure from major damage. I was also able to understand better how important maintenance is in Civil engineering as a whole and how these practices could be applied to buildings as well.