Traffic safety improvement through implementing innovative technologies and materials in construction of roads and bridges

The paper reports data on implementing innovative technologies and materials in construction of roads and bridge structures. It is proposed to construct road pavement using nepheline sludge to improve motor road macadam shear strength. This technology helps preventing such road pavement defects as rutting, cracks and early deterioration of the road surface. It is also proposed to implement composite fiber-glass materials in construction of bridge structures on motor roads. Nowadays, the tube confined concrete technology, developed long ago, is successfully applied in building construction as a way to increase the concrete bearing capacity. Its implementation in bridge structures is limited by poor corrosion resistance of the metal casing and its poor resistance to other aggressive environmental effects. Recently, composite fiber-glass materials, including pipes (casings), have been developed and actively applied. They feature good resistance to aggressive environmental effects, great durability as compared to metal, good resistance against wall pressure. Fiber-glasses have sufficiently high strength confirmed by experimental studies listed in this paper. Using fiber-glass casings in bridge pier columns is promising due to their properties; it should improve the strength and reliability of such structures and increase their service life. The approach is also promising from the architectural and aesthetic standpoint. Moreover, application of nepheline sludge in road pavements and fiber-glass composite casings in bridge piers shall increase the reliability of transport structures during operation, preventing early development of defects having a negative impact on traffic safety. The main purpose in applying innovative technologies in transport structures deals with traffic safety improvement. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.