Tufflayer SAMI asphalt gains BBA HAPAS approval
Heidelberg Materials UK first to gain approval for stress absorbing membrane interlayer solution
HEIDELBERG Materials UK have become the first asphalt supplier to receive BBA HAPAS1 approval for a stress-absorbing membrane interlayer (SAMI) solution.
The company’s Tufflayer product, an alternative to geogrid asphalt, uses a specially designed polymer-modified bitumen (PMB), supplied by Shell Bitumen, to achieve optimum flexibility and enhance fatigue resistance. It significantly delays the effects of reflective cracking and protects the lower layers from water ingress, providing further resilience and extending the life of the road.
Adrian Hadley, technical head (asphalt and aggregates) at Heidelberg Materials UK, said: ‘It’s fantastic to be the first asphalt manufacturer to achieve this milestone. It follows an intensive approval process by the BBA and provides our customers with reassurance of Tufflayer’s quality and performance.’
Tufflayer is said to be ideal for concrete overlays or any site where reflective cracking caused by thermal expansion or heavy trafficking may be an issue. It is easy to lay using conventional paving equipment and, as it avoids the use of geogrids, it reduces on-site equipment and personnel, improving workforce health and safety and reducing whole-life costs.
1. British Board of Agrément Highway Authority Product Approval Scheme
