LIFE+ 09/ENV/EE/227 under the OSAMAT project framework road designing test-sections on Narva-Mustajõe and Simuna-Vaiatu road sections are completed.

 

On 20 July 2012, the Estonian Road Administration issued road construction permit No. 11 to Estonian Energy for state road No. 12109 Narva-Mustajõe section km 14.0-16.1. The completion date is set out for 31. December 2012.

Operations Construction works are carried out by Nordecon AS in accordance with road construction project compiled by Ramboll Estonia AS.

On this road section will be built two sections with different construction will be built:

1. Test-section where the oil shale ash is used to stabilize an existing foundation (different ash-stabilized layer thicknesses and different ashes);

2. Test-section using traditional methods where complex-stabilized foundation will be built.

On 1 August 2012, the Estonian Road Administration issued road construction permit No. 14 to Estonian Energy for state road No. 17192 Simuna-Vaiatu section km 3.0-4.0. The completion date is set out for 31. December 2013.

Construction works Operations are carried out in several phases by Nordecon AS in accordance with road construction project compiled by Ramboll Estonia AS.

On this road section will be built the following constructions test-sections with the following constructions will be built:

1. Test-section where the oil shale ash is used to stabilize an existing foundation;

2. Test-section where sub-soil (peat) mass-stabilization will be carried out;

3. Test-section using traditional methods where a complex-stabilized or crushed stone foundation will be built.

On Simuna-Vaiatu section mass-stabilization works will use a binder mixture where one component is oil shale ash from Estonian Energy power plant filter block 8 or cyclone ash, and other component is composite cement.

Laboratory tests were conducted in the Ramboll Finland Luopioinen laboratory, in order to develop the most appropriate recipe for tested materials.

Nordic Geotechnical Meeting conference will take place in Copenhagen from 9 to 12 May 2012. The aim of the conference is to strengthen relationships with engineers and scientists in the Nordic countries geotechnics and engineering geology field. The conference intends to introduce the OSAMAT project, i.e. the possibility of using oil shale ash in road construction.

The conference program and further information can be found http://www.ngm2012.dk.

Since 1991 an international conference Wascon has been taking place in Sweden for the exchange of ideas on the implementation options of waste, by-products and other recycled materials in construction. This year the conference takes place from 30 May to 1 June, an introduction of the OSAMAT project is also scheduled.

More information about the conference agenda and the content can be found www.swedgeo.se/wascon2012.

OSAMAT project on Aktuaalne Kaamera 25.08.2011 (estonian)

OSAMAT project on Aktuaalne Kaamera 25.08.2011 (russian)

Piloting construction of ash stabilized layers on Narva-Mustjõe section were carried out in September-October (see Gallery). On the 900 m section two different ash stabilized layers with the thickness of 25 cm were built. Oil shale cyclone ash and the ash from oil shale electrostatic precipitator (ESP) block 3 were used as a binder. According to laboratory tests, cement had to be added for both ashes in order to ensure the achievement of necessary strength characteristics. During the stabilization works samples were taken from the stabilization layer which will be tested later in the laboratory; additional samples will be taken during the observation period.

Since the Narva-Mustjõe section has large heavy traffic proportion (ca. 25%), after the completion of ash stabilization a two-layered asphalt cover was constructed on the section. In addition, land area arrangement and water drainage were organized.

During the spring-summer period the OSAMAT project activities have actively continued. Estonian Road Administration approved the technical projects of the road sections; while suitable material compound recipes were developed in laboratories in Finland, which allowed the construction of test-sections. On the Narva-Mustajõe section stabilization works were commenced on the 37^th week (see Gallery).

A video footage of the OSAMAT project activities and results will be completed. The filming was started simultaneously with the building of test-sections.

Progress Report No. 1 was presented to the European Commission in the second half of September.

On 5 April Estonian Energy presented the European Commission with the OSAMAT project Inception Report, which reported the activities conducted from September 2010 to the end of February 2011. During that period the main focus has been on the preparatory activities – including dealing with contractual matters, selection of test section and activities related to the application of building permit. As a significant part of the project, laboratory tests on oil shale ash have continued in order to develop the most appropriate technical solution for test-sections.

The Inception Report concludes that project partners have cooperated actively to ensure the smooth operation of proposed activities and schedule adherence. On 25 March 2011, the first progress meeting of the OSAMAT project took place. It was attended by all parties.

In the current phase of the pilot project Estonian Energy, Estonian Road Administration and Ramboll have collaborated in the selection of the locations for test-sections. The pilot project will be implemented in two road sections:

1. Road No. 13109 Narva-Mustjõe section km 14-16;

2. Road No. 17192 Simuna-Vaiatu section km 2.5-5

Surface/soil samples were taken from both test-sections and sent to laboratory for analysis to find out which oil shale ash compounds should be used in the construction of test-sections. The results of laboratory tests will presumably be announced in March-April 2011.