Glass Fiber Grating Construction Method
1. Preparation of the Pavement Surface
The effectiveness of the glass fiber grating is highly dependent on the condition of the pavement surface. Before installation, all materials that may interfere with the bond between the grid and the underlying layer—such as oil, paint, sealant, water stains, dirt, or other contaminants—must be thoroughly removed. The surface should be clean, dry, and free from any debris to ensure optimal adhesion. The pressure-sensitive backside of the glass fiber grid is water-soluble, so it’s crucial to lay the grid only after the road surface has completely dried. Prior to laying, an adhesive layer (such as emulsified asphalt) should be applied. If using emulsified asphalt, the grid must be placed only after the emulsion has fully broken down and dried.
2. Laying and Fixing the Glass Fiber Grid
The grid can be installed either by modified tractors or manually. Each roll of the fiberglass grid is marked with orange and blue indicators at both ends. Before starting, the correct side of the grid should be identified based on the color markings to avoid misapplication. When laying, the grid must be kept flat, tight, and free of wrinkles to maintain proper tension. After placement, a clean steel wheel roller should be used to compact the grid and ensure good contact with the surface.
Currently, two types of glass fiber grids are commonly used: self-adhesive and non-self-adhesive. Self-adhesive grids can be directly applied to a flat base, often secured using a nail-fixing method. In some projects, such as the Ningtong Highway in Yangzhou and Nanjing, non-self-adhesive grids were used. For fixing, the following materials are typically required: 150×50×0.3mm flat iron sheets (with chamfered edges), and 2-inch steel nails.
When using the nail-fixing method, the iron sheet and steel nail are first fixed onto the asphalt layer that has been coated with the adhesive. The nail is then driven into place using a hammer or nail gun. The grid is then tensioned and fixed section by section, with each segment ranging from 2 to 5 meters in length. It can also be segmented according to the stitching pattern, with the steel nails positioned at the seams. Once tightened, the grid should remain straight and taut in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
For overlapping, the longitudinal overlap should be at least 20 cm, and the lateral overlap at least 15 cm. The overlap should follow the direction of asphalt paving. During fixation, steel nails must not be driven directly into the glass fiber, and the grid should never be struck directly with a hammer. If a nail breaks or the iron sheet loosens, it must be re-fixed. After securing, the grid should be rolled with a rubber roller to ensure strong adhesion to the original pavement.
In practice, some contractors have found that applying the adhesive oil first and then placing the grid before rolling with a road roller yields excellent results, preventing the grid from wrinkling or lifting.
3. Key Construction Precautions
(1) Strict control over vehicle traffic is essential. Vehicles must not slam, brake abruptly, or spill materials onto the grid layer, as this could damage the fiberglass grid.
(2) Since the backing of the glass fiber grid is water-soluble, construction should not be carried out on rainy days or when the road surface is wet.
(3) The glass fibers can irritate the skin, so workers must wear protective gloves during installation.
(4) When using a water-filled rubber roller, care must be taken not to overfill it, as excess water might overflow and reduce the adhesive strength of the grid's backside.
(5) If small potholes on the original pavement are not filled beforehand, parts of the grid above these areas can be cut and replaced with asphalt later.
(6) The temperature during installation should be maintained between 5°C and 60°C for optimal performance.
4. Conclusion
(1) In China, there are various types of glass fiber grids used for reinforcing asphalt pavements, but there is currently no unified standard for their specifications, performance criteria, or testing methods. It is urgent to develop clear product standards suitable for local conditions.
(2) While fiberglass grids significantly enhance the structural performance of asphalt pavements, the exact mechanisms behind this improvement still require further study.
(3) On the Ningtong Highway renovation project from Liuhe East to Yangzhou, the use of fiberglass grids has shown promising results so far. However, the long-term effectiveness in preventing reflective cracking remains to be observed over time.
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