FDR is an environmentally friendly process that can be used in both urban and rural areas. It is typically used on roads that have reached the end of their useful life and need to be completely rebuilt. One of the main benefits of FDR is that it requires less new material than traditional construction methods, which saves money and reduces traffic congestion during construction.
Another benefit of FDR is that it can be used to recycle existing materials, which helps to reduce waste and conserve natural resources. When properly done, full-depth reclamation can also extend the life of a roadway by 20 to 30 years.
How Is Full-Depth Reclamation Done?
FDR is typically done with large machines called “reclaimers” that pulverize the existing roadway. The machine grinds up the asphalt pavement, base material, and any other features in the road (such as curbs or sidewalks) to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.
Once the existing material has been pulverized, cement and water are added to improve its compaction properties and help bind the recycled materials together. The wet mixture is then compacted using heavy equipment until it reaches the required density for the new pavement.
