... In Roads

With emphasis on reducing costs without compromising quality, Geo R Bond is proven over 20 years as a long term solution to unacceptable pricing in civil works by providing a more economical and durable pavement. Savings of 60% and greater have been recorded.

In Australia's far north, Geo R Bond roads constructed of readily available 'poor' soils and within constrictive budgets have withstood heavy road-train traffic, monsoonal seasons, cyclones and flooding over many years.

This is further evidenced in mining infrastructure where the additive has been successful on haul and service roads and coal stockpile bases of highly expansive clay materials, including black soil.  In all instances it has shown benefits and savings in 'truck and shovel' operations.

The weatherproofing qualities of Geo R Bond treatment have been similarly demonstrated in Queensland parks with outstanding results and recognised in the Wet Tropics as a technique to alleviate the operational problems Parks and Wildlife continually face.  In fact, roads under permanent canopy cover that are normally subjected to closure remain solid and trafficable in wet conditions. 

Geo R Bond

GeoRBond - CBR (California Bearing Ratio) Test
A measure of the load-bearing capacity/mechanical strength of a soil

The Penetration Shear Resistance graph represents average strength vs time comparison producing an improvement of 207.69% in 7 days.
Users can expect to achieve dry densities over 100% and significantly reduced ground movement.

DEPT OF TRANSPORT and MAIN ROADS – Report Extract: Gregory to Burketown Road NQ

	Photo 4 (scanned) October 2003 - Site 2 Poor quality silty clay (bull dust) material prior to incorporating GRB. Note effects of wind generating dust on loose surface.
	Photo 18 (from Interim Report) December 2003 - Site 2 looking North GRB treated bulldust material shown in Photo 4 and subjected to traffic for 3 months including eight triple road trains per day.  Note: Tightness of surface and absence of dust. Construction joint hollow along RHS of centreline due to roller bridging onto LHS which was constructed first   has not weathered or abraded. Surface impressions of roller tyre tread pattern still visible.
	Photo 17 June 2006 - Site 2 looking North Same section constructed 3 years earlier.  Exposed to wet seasons, flooding and road train traffic without having to be reworked. Note: Surface tight with negligible dust. Hardness of treated material evident by shiny surface on LHS Hollow along centreline unchanged since original construction

... In Rail

With ever increasing pressures being placed on rail operations, established formation standards are over-extended for much of the modern railway network.  Geo R Bond stabilisation of heavy-haul rail formations across problematic soil regions has fulfilled expectations, waterproofing and lifting strength values, preventing ballast contamination and reducing track roughness which increases as more traffic impacts on line stability causing restricted train speeds and reduced axle loadings.  Geo R Bond corrects movement ensuring a safe and serviceable track for a lasting future.

Conclusions of rail annual reviews conducted in parts of Australia classed as 'harsh' evidenced that track profiles have remained consistent, resulting in very low maintenance costs together with proven performance in high rainfall areas which further demonstrates the product's water repelling agents while maintaining high strength characteristics.

Where Geo R Bond has been used drivers noticed that improved track running and ride difference was immediate.  Track Recording Vehicle data also detected significant and measurable changes in roughness and geometry performance compared to untreated sections.  Ongoing evaluations and monitoring confirmed successful findings at all sites where the system was implemented.

Extracts from  :

Purpose

. . . 'evaluate the inclusion of a stabilisation product into the formation in black soil conditions' . . .

Background of Formation Issues

. . . 'black soil formation locations of difficulty and stability concerns' . . . 'no previous attempt towards addressing formation stabilisation in conjunction with track structure' . . . 'aimed at improvement in conditions without impacting on production or large capital investment' . . .

Tests, Evaluations, Outcomes (following Geo R Bond application)

. . . 'untreated surface easily loosened' . . . 'surface after application and stabilisation process dense, tight and hard' . . . 'average CBR of 9 (untreated)' . . . 'CBR between 32 and 40 (treated) obtained from outer edge of profile' . . . 'CBR of 50 to 60 on primary treated formation' . . . 'track recording vehicle shows a trend for improvement' . . . 'cost benefit proving successful' . . . 'local maintenance crews indicate an improvement on track running performance' . . . 'feedback from line rail operator that a noticeable ride difference identified' . . . 'no additional resurfacing required on treated sections' . . .

Costs

. . . 'qualification that the cost impact is minimal with respect to the outcomes and cost of implementation' . . .

Advantages

. . . 'cost effective; near no impact on relay production; minimal supervision; reduce resurfacing costs; a formation which can maintain track performance without attention for longer periods' . . .

Recommendations

. . . 'will continue the stabilisation process in all locations defined as black soil' . . . 'recommendation to apply the product where black soil or clay based formation is present' . . .

Note:

Regular monitoring of Geo R Bond treated sections together with information collected from maintenance staff and line operators including evaluations of Track Recording Vehicle data have continued on the Mt Isa line extending to usage of the stabiliser in subsequent rail upgrade capital works.

... For Dust

Airborne soil dust lowers air quality and is generally unpleasant.  Exposure to it can be hazardous.

Dust hinders mining production, the safety of personnel, traffic and the efficiency of a mine.  This problem applies to all mines.  Mines make use of on-site material for their road system and a variety of open, unprotected areas, usually of considerable size due to the enormity of mine machinery.  During dry periods continuous and abundant watering is required to suppress dust.

In field works, Geo D Free has successfully reduced excessive atmospheric dust generated by mining operations on haul roads, access roads, hardstand and service areas with decisively less watering frequencies, slowed corrugation processes, improved haulage vehicle driveability, lower suspension maintenance and prolonged tyre life.

Geo D Free

... Benefits

Strong Earth products offer a workable and economical approach to soil and water management.

Construction:      

• • easy to handle
  • minimal plant and equipment
  • simple and fast installation
  • better managed procedures and production
  • no disruption to production schedules
  • no variations to fundamental principles of construction
  • comfort in the knowledge of a proven product

Financial:            

• • substantial savings in expensive material importation and transport charges
  • cost impact minimal with respect to outcomes
  • capital costs kept significantly low compared to that of traditional or alternative products and methods
  • reduced expenditure allows redirection of funding to other project elements
  • assets are successfully managed well within maintenance budgets
  • effective strategy to mitigate asset risk

Versus Other Products:

Unlike recently introduced polymer or 'plasticising' additives, Geo R Bond modification of soil properties is not adversely affected by weathering, moisture and other environmental elements, as oxidation and UV rays (sunlight), that react to accelerate and worsen degradation tendencies in road structural materials. Such symptoms are becoming more apparent in roads treated with these products in late years.

Similarly, bituminous, adhesive or lignin based compaction/stabilisation/dust control aids are known to clog and interfere with spray systems and construction equipment adding to risks in terms of down time, project delays and expensive machine cleaning and maintenance.

. . . Geo R Bond and Geo D Free are not bituminous, adhesive or polymer.

While Strong Earth management and personnel cannot and would not criticise the authenticity of claims made on behalf of competitor products, it is prudent to note that all products manufactured by Strong Earth have well documented evidence to support performance ability.

... Environment

Use of the products in areas of potential environmental impact meet the requirements of Federal and State Government.  Compliances relate to toxicity, bio-degradability and leaching.

Approvals for works in high conservation Wet Tropics World Heritage areas and other environmentally sensitive regions are significant, as are widespread applications in and around cattle feed lots, grain silos, farm roads, dam walls, prawn nursery pond floors, etc.

The mining industry is bound by rigorous health, safety and environmental regulations, including land rehabilitation.  Subsequent to a scientific assessment through Risk Management, an independent investigator for the mines, the products are approved for usage based on chemical and toxicological research in compliance with relevant standards, guidance notes and legislation.

Formulations are based on everyday chemicals widely used in industry, applied in extremely dilute solutions and do not pose any threat or load to the environment.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is a sub-section of the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing within the Government of Queensland, Australia.  It was formerly part of the Department of Environment and Resource Management.  The primary concern is with the development and maintenance of protected areas within Queensland so as to permit permanent preservation of the area's natural condition.  This includes national, parks, marine parks and world heritage areas.  QPWS experiences follow:

6 June, 2014

The Manager
Strong Earth Australia

With reference to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services use of Geo R Bond after the flood events after Cyclone Larry. As you know most of our Wet Tropics World Heritage Area roads were devastated during Cyclone Larry and the subsequent Cyclone Monica event around 7 years ago. We were fortunate at the time to receive around 11 million dollars to repair these roads. Some of the roads were in poor condition from lack of funding for maintenance and unworkable rules placed upon roadworks placed by the Wet Tropics Management Authority and from my experience in rainforest roads [40 years] it was evident that a different approach had to be taken in repairing roads to promote longevity and reduce maintenance and the most important factor was loss of road material.

The Capital Works team at the time decided upon different approaches to stop the waste in materials and came up with the idea of using and trialling stabilisers to not only harden road surfaces, but to retain them insitu better than had been in the past. This trial was funded by Wet Tropics Management Authority and was carried out at Davies Creek Management Road. From these trials it was evident that the Geo R bond product gave us better results for our dollar than other products. Cement stabilisation is ideal but the cost of application was exorbitant and it has only been used where absolutely necessary. Decent gravels are non-existent in the wet tropics areas.

To give a good example of the merits of stabilisation, we would need to look at the Mt Lewis Road. This 32km road is the highest road in Queensland and is extremely wet. It is a unique area in both flora and fauna, and this road is heavily visited by scientists as well as birdwatchers from all over the world. Pre Cyclone Larry this road was so poorly maintained that it was almost impossible to traverse in the dry season [we had 9 sunny days up there in 2007 so that is how dry it gets!!] In repairing this road I estimate we re-laid around 500,000 ton of dirt, clay, whatever we could get to fill the drain that the road had become. As you know dirt, with high clay content does not make for good roads and keeping this material in place and trafficable is a feat in itself. The whole road was stabilised with geo r bond and top coated with a thin layer of 50mm minus rock from the Mt. Carbine Quarry. The cost of one load of this material to site works out at $500 per 12 ton loads and semi-tippers and trucks and dogs cannot access this road, so outside material is expensive. Also outside material can introduce unwanted weeds and pathogens to World heritage areas, so it is imperative to try to use on site materials where possible. The road has not been maintained since except to have grass sprayed and fallen trees removed and some of the pipes cleaned.

This year Cyclone Oswald brought the heaviest rain I have seen in this area in my 40 years in Nth Qld. I traversed the road around 3 week after the event when it was still raining and what’s more traversed this road to the end in 2 wheel drive, a feat not ever heard of before the road was stabilised. There is still damage to clogged drains which would be expected but all in all the road is still in reasonable condition.

My thoughts on this alone are that we have saved 100’s of thousands of tons of soil from being washed downstream and most would have ended up on the Great Barrier Reef. Whilst I am not a scientist I know that when cleaning drains and pipes on Mt Lewis we always encountered the Giant Rainforest Earthworms [around 2 feet long] and the Blue Spiny Crayfish. These are still abundant in the creeks and drains and had there been adverse effects of using chemical stabilisers I am sure these would have been first to be affected.

We stabilised in the vicinity of 200km of rainforest road and in general these are all in fair condition considering the lack of maintenance since the rebuilds in the mid 2000’s. Most surfaces have remained hard even after rain periods Decreased funding and now extreme NDRRA rules will certainly be putting pressure on the future upkeep of these roads. I am about to retire and would hope that in the future these roads remain open for future generations to enjoy these unique areas

Project Supervisor [Assets]
Northern Region
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing