Owners of private roads need to maintain such driveways, albeit in a fast and cost-effective manner. Stabilisation is an engineering technique that involves recycling an original pavement. The approach uses fewer materials since most of the inputs required already exist on the road. For instance, aggregate layers and soils from an existing roadway are mixed with water and binders to alter structural properties. Notably, road stabilisation is known to strengthen the layers of a pavement thereby giving it a longer lifespan. Here are some pavement stabilisation tips for roadway owners to consider.

Subgrade Failures -- One reason why most pavement materials fail within a very short timeframe is weak subgrade. The layers below the pavement material must be prepared and compacted by following national and international best practices. Therefore, when stabilising a pavement that was laid on a weak subgrade layer, the effect would be a short-term solution rather than long-term. You are likely to notice deep cracks on a stabilised pavement if the subgrade region was constructed and compacted poorly. For this reason, you should either strengthen the weak subgrade layer or remove it altogether and start afresh. You can then compact the other layers according to set specifications. 

Consider Drainage -- Poor pavement drainage or lack of it can lead to localised road failures. Stabilising such an area might not be adequate because water will tend to pool around adjacent pavement sections even when rainfall has ceased. Over time, the sections will incur water damage, which will result in pavement failure. Therefore, consider the overall drainage of your pavement when stabilising. 

Patch Widths -- Road engineers recommend that when stabilising roads, it is critical that you patch the whole extent of the road section to avoid drainage issues. The patching approach also overcomes the problem of rutting or resultant depression within a wheel path. If the patching is intended to cure the rutting deformities, then the stabilisation process should start from the centre of the road and move towards the shoulder and not the other way round. Notably, patching using this approach should be done on short pavement lengths.   

Climate and Geology -- A better understanding of the local climate and geology is vital, especially when choosing binders during stabilisation. Thaw and freezing temperatures, flooding, soil material variations and excess salt and temperature can adversely affect a stabilised surface. Knowledge of these factors can help improve the pavement strength and mitigate against permanent pavement deformities such as potholes, sags and humps, cracks and pits.