Application of Zycosil soil on pavements
Submitted by Ashraf K
Zycosil is new generation of nanotechnology, which has been developed for waterproofing and has UV resistance, thermal resistance, and an ability to withstand the wind erosion due to its nano-size and penetrative power. Water intrusion in building materials has been a problem for the last 1000 years. Fortunately, new developments in science and technology have incorporated the use of nanotechnology to produce eco-friendly, organo silicon products that can render most materials hydrophobic for cycles of 20 to 30 years at a very economical cost.

Water- the great destroyer
Moisture damage is caused by a loss of adhesion, commonly referred to as “stripping” aggregate surface or a loss of cohesion within the binder itself, resulting in a reduction in stiffness. Heavy traffic on a moisture-weakened pavement can result in premature rutting or fatigue cracking . The presence of moisture can also accelerate the formation of potholes
Water repellents
- Resistance to water intrusion
- Prevention of water-soluble salts, particularly chloride salts
- Penetration of repellent treatment to a measurable depth
- Long-term stability in an alkaline environment
- Low environmental and health risk
- UV stability (20+ years)
Types of water repellents
- Blocks breathability
- Life of only 2 – 5 years
Penetrants: they are solvent based, soluble monomeric materials less than 6 ηm in size which can easily penetrate inside the pores and sub-branches of the pores.Failure of penetrants: –
- Flammability
- High cost
- Toxic VOC solvents
Zycosil nanotechnology

Features of Zycosil
- Permanent water repellent layer on all types of soils, aggregates and other inorganic road construction materials
- The technology addresses the critical subsurface drainage problems in road making and repairs
- Zycosil’s reactive bonding ability with the aggregates and asphalt helps to eliminate stripping of aggregates t a great extent
Advantages of using zycosil
In subgrade & GSB
- Maintaining CBR value
- Reduction of Soil Plasticity
- Maintaining Breathability
In stone base course
In surface layers
Limitations of Zycosil
- Adverse effects of the solvent used- ethylene glycol
- A lot of precautions to be taken
- More effective on pre-existing cracks than cracks which occur after the application
- It cannot be applied if:
- Ambient temperature is below 10º C or above 50ºC
- Rain is expected within 2 hours following the application.
- Precipitation has occurred within 24 hours prior to application.
- High winds or other conditions prevent proper application and overspray that may have an adverse effect on surrounding materials
Applications
Maintenance
- Unpaved aggregate roads: – Saturate the aggregate-soil surface including 2 meters each on both sides of the road with diluted Zycosoil solution @ 3-L/M2.
- Black topped roads: – Spray diluted Zycosoil solution @ 1.5- L/M2 on black top, shoulder and slope. Sun dry for 2-3 hours and check for water repellency by drilling a hole in the soil area
Repairs
- Potholes
- Cracks