Periodical Maintenance of Forest Roads with a Mobile Stone Crusher

Erber, Gernot; Kroisleitner, Huberta; Huber, Christoph; Varch, Thomas; Stampfer, Karl · 2021 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.5552/crojfe.2021.862

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Summary

This study evaluates the efficacy of using mobile stone crushers for the periodical maintenance of forest roads, addressing the high costs and logistical burdens associated with sourcing well-graded aggregate from external gravel storage areas. Forest road surfaces deteriorate due to traffic, climate, and vegetation, requiring regular maintenance to maintain load-bearing capacity. Traditional methods involve transporting non-graded or well-graded material, which is expensive and resource-intensive. The research investigates whether converting non-graded aggregate available on-site into well-graded material using a mobile stone crusher offers a viable, cost-effective alternative. The study was conducted on the Glaswald forest road in the Bavarian State Forest Enterprise, Germany. Three test sections (A–C) underwent maintenance treatment using a PTH 2500 HD mobile stone crusher mounted on a tractor, while a fourth section (R) served as an untreated reference. The treatment involved ripping the existing surface, windrowing material, crushing it, and compacting the result. Load-bearing capacity was measured using a light falling weight deflectometer (LWFD) before treatment and at multiple intervals over one year. Particle size distribution was analyzed via sieving and sedimentation before and after crushing. Costs were calculated for three scenarios: using only on-site material (Scenario A), supplementing with transported non-graded material (Scenario B), and using transported well-graded material (Scenario C). Results demonstrated that the mobile stone crusher effectively converted non-graded material into well-graded or close-to-well-graded aggregate, with particle size distributions aligning with recommendations for lime-water bonded surfaces. Load-bearing capacity exceeded the 40 MN m⁻² threshold for primary forest roads at all measurement points. Post-treatment, capacity increased significantly (by 112–120%) and remained statistically higher than pre-treatment levels throughout the following year, outperforming the untreated reference section. Economically, Scenario A was substantially cheaper at 5.31 € m⁻¹, compared to 16.29 € m⁻¹ for Scenario B and 19.82 € m⁻¹ for Scenario C. Material and transport costs accounted for 67% and 82% of total costs in Scenarios B and C, respectively. The findings conclude that mobile stone crushers are capable of producing suitable forest road surface aggregate, significantly and lastingly increasing load-bearing capacity at a fraction of the cost of traditional alternatives. The study highlights that maximum cost and resource efficiency is achieved when sufficient surface aggregate is available on-site. If on-site material is insufficient, sourcing non-graded material locally is the next most efficient alternative. This approach reduces environmental impact and logistical strain while maintaining road functionality.

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