The associations plan to unite their efforts for the development of road construction technology from cement concrete in Russia. At an extraordinary general meeting of SoyuzCement members, the heads of both associations discussed the key points of long-term cooperation.
“The development of a network of high quality and safe roads in Russia with the use of innovative technologies and materials is one of the priority tasks of the national scale. As the world experience shows, the wide use of mineral binders and cement concrete in the construction and reconstruction of roads significantly increases the carrying capacity of roads, increases the service life of roads and reduce operating costs. The task of the Association of Concrete Roads is to unite the efforts of scientific, educational, design, contracting organizations, cement manufacturers and road-building machinery to improve the efficiency of implementation of infrastructure transport projects with the use of mineral binders and cement concrete,” – stressed Victor Ushakov, the President of the Association of Concrete Roads.
“The Union of Cement Producers carries out consistent work aimed at expanding the use of cement concrete in road construction. Uniting our competences will enable us to work for improving the quality of the road infrastructure, which mainly promotes the tasks of social-economic and infrastructural development of the Russian Federation,” – noted Mikhail Skorohod, Chairman of the Management Board of SOYUZCEMENT.
The parties will combine their efforts to develop the use of cement concrete and mineral binders for road construction, as well as participation in the development and implementation of programs and activities aimed at developing high-quality and safe roads in the Russian Federation.
The main advantages of cement concrete pavements are their durability and cost-effectiveness. Life cycle of concrete roads is three times longer than asphalt-concrete roads, the service life without overhaul is at least 24 years. Existing practice shows that concrete roads can be operated with minimal repair costs for up to 50 years. If previously the construction cost of cement concrete roads was higher than that of asphalt concrete roads, now it is either comparable or may even be lower. Other advantages of concrete roads include more stable traction properties of tires and, accordingly, a shorter braking distance; minimal risk of aquaplaning due to the longitudinal grinding of the surface; economical fuel consumption (less by 3-6%), and reduced emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere due to the reduction of vehicle rolling friction. Concrete pavement is lighter and reflects the light better, therefore, it is more comfortable and safer for drivers on the road on unlit areas. Concrete is considered an environmentally neutral material and is fully recyclable.